The Atlanta Falcons have named Mike Smith their new head coach replacing Bobby Petrino who fled to Arkansas after only 13 games of a four year deal.
Smith who had been the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator signed a four year contract worth between $8 million and $10 million. This is Smith’s first stint as a head coach at any level, but he is a nine-year league veteran and has served the past five seasons as the Jacksonville defensive coordinator. Under his stewardship, the Jacksonville defense was statistically ranked among the top six in the league on three occasions. Before joining coach Jack Del Rio’s staff in Jacksonville, Smith was the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive line coach for three seasons, 1999-2001.
Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff says the 48-year-old Smith, a 26-year coaching veteran, “has strong experience with winning teams, a track record of success, a solid, smart approach to the game, and high character and integrity.”
Smith was one of seven candidates interviewed for the job, some prior to Dimitroff’s hiring as the general manager earlier this month. He is the third head coach hired by the Falcons since 2004.
