Dan Quinn’s job is safe, but the Falcons are firing almost everybody else. The team is letting go offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel, and special teams coach Keith Armstrong, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The Falcons have gone downhill since their Super Bowl run two seasons ago, sneaking into the playoffs as a six seed last year before falling apart this season. Injuries were partially to blame, but the team finished just 7-9 despite having a ton of talent, and regressed heavily on defense. The offense hasn’t been the same since Kyle Shanahan left to coach the 49ers, and Sarkisian had received a ton of criticism for his playcalling, especially in the red-zone. With the defense becoming one of the worst units in the NFL this season, it’s no surprise that Manuel was let go. The firing of Armstrong, who has been considered for head coaching jobs in the past, cements this as a total house cleaning.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link), the Falcons will conduct searches for new offensive and special teams coordinators, but Quinn is expected to take over the defense. Matt Ryan has put up big numbers over the last couple of years but it hasn’t translated to wins.
Interestingly, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets to “keep an eye on Gary Kubiak” for the offensive coordinator role, and James Palmer of NFL Network tweets that he’s heard the same. Kubiak, the former Texans and Broncos head coach who won a Super Bowl in Denver, has been rumored to be mulling a return to the sidelines as a coordinator. Owner Arthur Blank has expressed confidence in Quinn, but these moves clearly suggest that Quinn is feeling the heat. If he can’t get Atlanta back to the playoffs next year, he could be out of a job just a few years removed from an NFC Championship.
thought they’d give Sark one more season. oh well
Quinn is lucky Shanahan was the one that blew the super bowl or else he would be out too
Yea… I’m sure Gase would be way better in your opinion.
This is the perfect example of all situations being different. The Falcons are the ultimate win now team and in 2015 they had the worst collapse of the decade to miss the playoffs tied with the ’16 Vikings. Worst super bowl collapse in history. Had a clear path to another super bowl, but got stopped at the goal line, and massively underachieved this season. For a win now team this is a very different situation than others and maybe you can start to realize that. And to answer your question yes Gase would have been able to see all the team needs is a FG to ice the Superbowl
So, when they lose their best 3 players on defense, with one coming back in week 12 have something to do with that? You seem to think injuries are an excuse for Gase, right?Man, I hope being on the Gase payroll is worth the ridicule and delusion you suffer.
And thats exactly why i said Quinn survived. He doesn’t run their offense with an elite QB and 3 really good WRs and a solid line. You can win games with a banged up D and offense that prolific. And thats exactly why their O coordinator is out. Your conspiracy theroys are too funny.
Hey Big Guy… remember your comments about Jim Harbaugh? Interesting Stuff
Adam Gase has been fired by the Dolphins, and not all of Miami’s players are sad to see him go. “Many players in Dolphins locker room won’t be hurt by decision to fire Adam Gase”, reports Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who reports that some players told him they felt “alienated” by Gase and that he held some players to a “different standard.” Reports like these surely won’t help Gase in his quest to land a new head coaching job, although he is still expected to be a hot candidate.
And having players outburst on the sideline ( d lineman who is now with the Bills ) over playing time doesnt tell you something about those players.. He probably had to go because he lost the locker room which i would agree with. Your beef was about the Wins and losses on the field which is what my entire argument was for. Nice try moving the goalposts
He didn’t win and the players won’t play for him = BAD coaching!
He got fired for losing the locker room, not the product on the field. Anyone who pays attention can see it. If he was really that bad on the field then he wouldn’t be getting calls from most of the open HC vacancies
I know exactly why
We do not know if Gase has gotten any calls yet. Its all speculation at this point.
Quinn is a very good coach and would get a HC job right away if he had been let go.
Wilks as new DC….
Lot of firings
Dirk Koetter is available to come back as OC for Atlanta.
You probably can find Sarkisian in the bar closest to the Atlanta stadium.