The Atlanta Falcons have named defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas as their interim head coach, sources confirm for (Atlanta's) 11Alive Sports. The move came a day after Bobby Petrino departed the Falcons after just 13 games to return to the college ranks and coach for the University of Arkansas. Thomas was a defensive back for the Kansas City Chiefs for 13 years. Thomas has been an assistant coach in Atlanta since 2002.
Why Thomas as opposed to one of our Coordinators? Are they seen as Petrino's guns, perhaps loyal to him and on their way to Arkansas? Is Thomas seen as a "company" man? I think we had some experience in our Coordinators and would have liked to have seen us evaluate a continuation in our staff and program, perhaps on the Defensive side, since Bobby was hands off with the D anyway.
Mike Zimmer is in his first season with the Falcons after spending the past 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys, including the last seven years as Defensive Coordinator. During his time in Dallas, Zimmer established himself as one of the NFL's top defensive minds with a fundamentally sound and aggressive scheme. After joining the Dallas staff in 1994, he was promoted to Defensive Coordinator in 2000. In seven of his 13 years with the Cowboys , they ranked in the top 10 in total defense and pass defense, while advancing to the postseason seven times. As Defensive Coordinator in Dallas, Zimmer earned respect and recognition from around the NFL. In 2005 as he adapted his defense to the Cowboys changing rosters by successfully overseeing the transition from the club's base 4-3 defense to a 3-4 system.
Hue Jackson is in his first season with the Falcons and it is his second opportunity as an Offensive Coordinator in the NFL in 2007. Jackson was the highly-respected Wide Receivers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals the past three seasons. During his successful time with the Bengals, Jackson molded wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh into one of the most productive receiving tandems in Bengals history and one of the top duos in the League. Last year under the tutelage of Jackson, Johnson (1,369) and Houshmandzadeh (1,081) became the first Bengals teammates to each surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark.
Marty Schottenheimer served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns,Kansas City Chiefs, Washingrton Redskins, and San Diego Chargers. He left his head coaching position with the San Diego Chargers in 2007, after leading the Chargers to a 14-2 record.
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