The Falcons are competing with eight other NFL teams to find a new head coach, plus the team needs to hire a general manager after selecting Matt Ryan for the newly created position of president of football.
Since Falcons owner Arthur Blank announced Jan. 4 that the team fired coach Raheem Morris after two seasons, the team has been busy looking for a successor (and they need a new GM, too), and the AJC has been busy, too. Our staff of reporters are tracking the Falcons moves, and they will continue until the Falcons announce their decisions.
Check out more updates on the Falcons searches here:
Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who interviewed with the Falcons in 2024 and '21, is set to interview again for the club's head coach opening Sunday, according to NFL Media.
Brady, 36, got on the NFL’s radar after a spectacular 2019 season at LSU in which he worked with quarterback Joe Burrow.
He was with the Panthers as their offensive coordinator before joining the staff in Buffalo.
The Falcons completed their interview with Antonio Pierce for the team's head coaching job, the team announced Friday afternoon.
Pierce is the ninth person the team has acknowledged interviewing.
Pierce currently is studio analyst with CBS for their NFL games. He was the head coach of the Raiders in 2024 after two seasons as the team's linebackers coach (2022-23). He also was the interim head coach in 2023.
Also, Pierce spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Arizona State from 2018-21.
Pierce played linebacker for Washington (2001-04) and the New York Giants (2005-09), including the Giants' Super Bowl XLII championship.
The Falcons have completed head coach interviews with the following:
· Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver
· Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak
· Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde
· Former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski
· Former Ravens coach John Harbaugh
· Former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel
· Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley
· Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter
· CBS analyst Antonio Pierce
Here are the odds at FanDuel Sportsbook as of Jan. 14 for who the Falcons will hire as their next head coach.
-Kevin Stefanski (former Browns HC): +210
-Klint Kubiak (Seahawks offensive coordinator): +500
-Brian Flores (Vikings defensive coordinator): +550 (hasn’t been interviewed by Falcons)
-Matt LaFleur (Packers HC): +600 (hasn’t been interviewed by Falcons)
-Mike McCarthy (former Cowboys HC): +750 (hasn’t been interviewed)
-Mike McDaniel (former Dolphins HC): +850
-Mike Tomlin (former Steelers HC): +1900 (hasn’t been interviewed)
Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter completed his interview with the Falcons on Thursday, according to the team.
Here's a brief bio on Minter:
Jesse Minter, 42, Chargers defensive coordinator: He's been the Chargers DC for the past two seasons. He the previous four season with the Ravens as a defensive assistant coach (2017-18), assistant defensive backs coach (2019) and defensive backs coach (2020). Minter also has 14 seasons in the college ranks, including four seasons as the defensive coordinator at Georgia State (2013-16).
Since firing coach Raheem Morris on Jan. 4, the Falcons have completed head coach interviews with:
- Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver
- Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak
- Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde
- Former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski
- Former Ravens coach John Harbaugh
- Former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel
- Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley
- Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter
Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley completed his interview with the Falcons on Thursday, according to the team.
Here's a brief bio on Hafley:
Jeff Hafley, 46, Packers defensive coordinator: Former head coach at Boston College (2020-23). After 11 seasons in the college ranks, he started with the Buccaneers in the NFL in 2021 as an assistant defensive backs coach. He also coached with the Browns and 49ers. He was named the Packers defensive coordinator in 2024. Coached future NFL players Duron Harmon and Logan Ryan at Rutgers.
Since firing coach Raheem Morris on Jan. 4, the Falcons have completed head coach interviews with:
- Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver
- Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak
- Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde
- Former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski
- Former Ravens coach John Harbaugh
- Former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel
- Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley
The Giants and John Harbaugh are working to finalize an agreement to make him the next head coach, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Giants interviewed Harbaugh for most of the day Tuesday. The deal is not final, and contract numbers are still being negotiated, according to the report.
The Falcons had a phone interview with Harbaugh, which was termed as "informal."
Harbaugh, 63, was widely considered the top coaching candidate available. Mike Tomlin resigned from Pittsburgh on Monday, but likely doesn't plan to coach next season.
Harbaugh helped the Ravens achieve a consistent level of excellence over his 18 seasons in Baltimore, with a Super Bowl win in 2012. The Ravens missed the playoffs this season after a loss in the final regular-season game, and he was fired last week.
He took the Ravens to the playoffs 12 times.
He had been with the Ravens since 2008, and previously was with the Eagles as a special teams coordinator from 1998-2006 and secondary coach in 2007.
Since firing coach Raheem Morris on Jan. 4, the Falcons have completed head coach interviews with:
- Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver
- Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak
- Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde
- Former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski
- Former Ravens coach John Harbaugh
- Former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel
John Harbaugh could be one of the final coaches fired in this offseason and the first to be rehired.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported late Wednesday night that Harbaugh and the New York Giants are closing in a deal to become their new head coach.
Harbaugh finished an 18-year career coaching the Baltimore Ravens and the two sides parted ways last week. Of the several coaching vacancies, the Giants' role was an interesting one, and one of the top coaches on the market could start sending shock waves through the league with a quick decision.
Here's a statement from Rod Graves, the executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance: “The Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation honors and recognizes the extraordinary career of Mike Tomlin following his decision to step down as Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"Mike Tomlin has been a model of coaching excellence and principled leadership throughout his tenure in Pittsburgh. Few truly understand the relentless demands placed on an NFL head coach, yet Coach Tomlin met those challenges year after year with unwavering poise, integrity, and competitive brilliance. His consistency, resilience, and commitment to excellence set him apart in one of the most demanding roles in professional sports.
"Beyond wins and losses, Coach Tomlin’s impact on the game has been profound. He has shaped generations of players, elevated the standard of leadership in the NFL, and served as a powerful example of what is possible through preparation, accountability, and authenticity. His influence extends well beyond the sideline and will continue to be felt across the league for years to come.
"We salute Coach Tomlin for his extraordinary career, his lasting contributions to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football League, and the enduring standard of professionalism he has set for all who follow."
Former Raiders coach Antonio Pierce is set to interview with the Falcons later this week, according to NFL Media.
Pierce, 46, was the interim head coach after Josh McDaniels was fired in 2023. Pierce went 4-13 the next season as the head coach and was fired. Overall, he was 9-17 (.346) with the Raiders.
The Falcons have completed head coach interviews with the following:
- Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver
- Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak
- Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde
- Former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski
- Former Ravens coach John Harbaugh
- Former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel
Well, well, well ... a funny thing happened on the way to finding a new Falcons head coach.
Mike Tomlin, the longest-tenured coach in the NFL, stepped down from his role with the Steelers on Tuesday. Tomlin, 53, never has had a losing season in Pittsburgh, but after the Steelers' loss in the playoffs Monday night to the Texans, he felt it was time to move on.
The Steelers retain his rights, so Tomlin gets another coaching job, they could receive compensation because he had two years remaining on his contract.
It's unclear whether Tomlin would be a candidate for the Falcons, but it would seem worth gauging his interest, as they did with John Harbaugh, whom they interviewed Monday.
Here is a list of the NFL teams who are looking for a head coach (with team and former coach):
Browns: Kevin Stefanski
Dolphins: Mike McDaniel
Falcons: Raheem Morris
Cardinals: Jonathan Gannon
Giants: Brian Daboll
Raiders: Pete Carroll
Ravens: John Harbaugh
Steelers: Mike Tomlin
Titans: Brian Callahan
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