The Atlanta Falcons are looking for the 20th coach in franchise history after firing Raheem Morris after only two seasons on the job. Morris went 16-18 in back-to-back 8-9 non-playoff years. He replaced Arthur Smith, who went 21-30 in three consecutive 7-10 seasons.
That consistent one-game improvement wasn't enough to save Morris or GM Terry Fontenot, the 1-2 punch responsible for the disappointing, below-average product on the field. With rumors of all-time great QB Matt Ryan returning in a big front office role under owner Arthur Blank, the Falcons are making big changes.
Here's looking at the best hires to replace Morris and turn the Falcons' fortunes around to back above.500:
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Falcons 6 best coaching candidates
Mike LaFleur, Rams offensive coordinator (age: 38)
LaFleur was an assistant on the Falcons' Super Bowl 51 team that was fueled by Ryan's career-best NFL MVP season under Kyle Shanahan and Dan Quinn. The brother of Packers coach Matt should have appeal and a better shot to succeed than Morris, who came from Sean McVay's Super Bowl 56-winning staff.
Klint Kubiak, Seahawks offensive coordinator (age: 38)
Kubiak provides another bright, offensive-minded alternative to work better with QB Michael Penix Jr. And get even more out of running back Bijan Robinson. He would be a good coup to get in Atlanta over higher-profile jobs.
Kliff Kingsbury, Commanders offensive coordinator (age: 46)
Kingsbury has starred again, calling plays for former Falcons coach Quinn. He also can have a great impact on an offense loaded with Penix, Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts.
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Anthony Campanile, Jaguars defensive coordinator (age: 44)
The Falcons need to have a more attacking and impactful defense. Campanile has aced having top front-seven talent to create pressure and set up big plays off takeaways.
Aden Durde, Seahawks defensive coordinator (age: 46)
Durde, a British-American, was a coaching intern on the 2016 Falcons when Ryan was there. Since then, he's become a great defensive mind, first on the Cowboys' staff with Quinn before branching out to help Mike Macdonald so well in Seattle.
Jim Bob Cooter, Colts offensive coordinator (age: 41)
Ryan crossed paths with Cooter during his lone season with the Colts in 2022. JBC is worth his first head-coaching job after working well for Shane Steichen and contributing to the rise of Daniel Jones before the latter's unfortunate Achilles' injury.