The Falcons are aiming high in their coaching search
The Atlanta Falcons front office in Flowery Branch has been busier than a locker room minutes before kickoff. And the franchise, determined to take a turn after years of mediocrity, is moving important pieces on its chess board. On Monday they confirmed interviews with two names that would make heads turn in any league: John Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel.
They are not simple candidates. They are declarations of intent. With this play, the Falcons make it clear that they are not looking for a simple patch, but rather a structural change. And all of this is happening under the new gaze of Matt Ryan, the former quarterback turned president of football operations, who is now tasked with rebuilding the team from the ground up.
A process with important names
Let’s break it down, because this is more than just a list of interviews.
John Harbaugh is not just any name. It is an institution. The man led the Baltimore Ravens for 18 seasons, compiling an impressive record of 193-124 (including postseason) and taking home a Super Bowl ring in 2012. That he is available is an earthquake in the coaching market. And the most interesting thing is the confirmation of mutual interest.
“John has been one of the most successful trainers over the last 20 years and has already won at every level,” owner Arthur Blank said last week. “And so he would certainly be a candidate that we would want to spend some time with.”
Well, that time has arrived. Monday’s interview confirms that Harbaugh does have interest in Atlanta, dispelling initial doubts. Hiring him would be the equivalent of signing a superstar in his top position.
Mike McDaniel, for his part, arrives after four seasons at the helm of the Miami Dolphins. His final balance (35-33) may not impress at first glance, but there is context: he took the team to the playoffs twice in a row (2022 and 2023), something that sounds like heavenly music in Atlanta after a postseason drought that is now in its eighth year.
But here’s the crucial detail: McDaniel also interviewed with the Cleveland Browns on the same Monday. This is not a casual stroll; He is a hot candidate with multiple options on the table.
A bigger picture and a new structure
To understand the urgency, you have to look back. The Falcons fired coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after finishing 8-9. Yes, they finished with four straight wins, but the bitter taste of another losing season was enough for Arthur Blank to hit the reset button.
And so we come to Matt Ryan. His transition from the field to the office is one of the most fascinating moves of the offseason. Not only was he hired as president; you have been handed the reins of the entire search process. Both the new coach and the new general manager will report directly to him.
In his final appearance as an analyst for CBS on Sunday, Ryan made his mission clear: end the eight-year playoff streak and “help lead the team back to the playoffs next season.”
They are big words. And they explain why the first interviews have been with winning profiles like Harbaugh or builders like McDaniel.
The list does not end there. On Sunday they spoke with Kevin Stefanski, two-time AP Coach of the Year. On Saturday they had conversations with promising coordinators: Klint Kubiak (Seattle offense), Anthony Weaver (Miami defense) and Aden Durde (also Seattle defense).They’re covering all the bases: from established veterans to innovative young minds. It is an exhaustive and methodical search.
What’s really at stake here goes beyond the name of the next coach. It’s about the immediate future of a stuck franchise. This is Matt Ryan’s first major executive move in his new role. And it is, above all, about sending a message to a fan base hungry to be relevant again: The Falcons are not playing.
On Tuesday, Ryan will deliver his first conference as president. Everyone will be watching not only his words, but the quiet progress behind the scenes with candidates like Harbaugh and McDaniel. The clock is ticking. The preseason is approaching. And Atlanta needs a leader.
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