Atlanta Falcons Name New Head Coach

ATLANTA, GA — The Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms with Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to be the team's next head coach, the Falcons announced Friday.

Smith, who has spent the last 10 years with the Titans, will replace Dan Quinn, who spent the last six seasons as the Falcons' head coach before accepting a role as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys on Jan. 11. Smith has held several positions with the Titans — including tight ends coach, offensive line assistant, offensive quality control coach and defensive quality control coach — in addition to his most recent role as offensive coordinator, according to a news release from the Falcons on Friday.

We have agreed to terms with Arthur Smith to become our next head coach.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 15, 2021

The Falcons reported that Smith was the focus of the team after two interviews earlier this week. Other reports said Smith was being eyed by the Philadelphia Eagles, and had an interview scheduled with the Detroit Lions; however, NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport said Friday morning that his trip to Detroit was canceled.

#Titans OC Arthur Smith has been the focus for the #Falcons and those two sides have been talking, sources say. His #Lions trip is now off. The #Eagles have been monitoring, but all eyes on Atlanta.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2021

Under Smith in 2020, the Titans offense finished the regular season ranked No. 3 in the NFL in total yards per game and No. 2 overall in rushing yards per game. The Titans were also fourth in the league in scoring, according to the news release.

Prior to the Titans, Smith spent two years as the defensive quality control coach for the Washington Football Team, and previously played offensive line for the North Carolina Tar Heels in college. He later joined the Tar Heels coaching staff as a graduate assistant, working with the offensive line, per the news release.