FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Falcons' coaching staff is officially set for the upcoming season. There have been new coaches added to the mix and a few familiar faces elevated to different roles. In an exclusive sit-down interview with AtlantaFalcons.com on Monday, head coach Arthur Smith details the decision-making into how he rounded out his coaching staff.
When asked about what went into hiring Ryan Nielsen as defensive coordinator, it was primarily about fit and the plan he has implemented for the future of the Falcons' defense.
"We had a very long and thorough process," Smith said. "It was great. We got to talk to a lot of different candidates. For us, it's all about fit. There's other great coaches in this league but Ryan fits us and our culture."
In addition, Nielsen's background as a former defensive lineman at Southern California and co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach for the Saints is what attracted Smith to him when making the decision to bring Nielsen to Atlanta.
"That's another big-picture thinker," Smith said. "A guy that was a former defensive lineman. I love his vision to develop players, and really schematically, where this is going and how we want to defend certain things."
RELATED CONTENT:
- Falcons announce coaching staff changes
- Bair Mail: On Jake Matthews, Lamar Jackson, tagging Kaleb McGary (or not) and finding Desmond Ridder a backup
- Five options for Falcons at No. 8 overall in 2023 NFL Draft
- One burning question for every Falcons position group: Part I: The offense, Part II: The defense
Smith announced that it will be Nielsen who will oversee the defensive line, working alongside defensive front specialist Lanier Goethie and senior defensive assistant Dave Huxtable.
Assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray will oversee the backend of the defense, working with secondary coach Steve Jackson. Gray, a former defensive backs coach for several NFL teams, and Smith have familiarity with each other after serving on the Tennessee Titans coaching staff together from 2011-2013.
"Since I was last with Jerry in Tennessee, he's certainly changed and adapted," Smith said. "He's been at Minnesota and in Green Bay. He's had to face a lot of really good quarterbacks being in the NFC North. Different variations of coverages and things he's learned along the way. He really fits into our culture and we're really excited to have Jerry, too."
Looking on the offensive side of the ball, Smith answered the question about who the Falcons quarterbacks' coach will be in 2023. Offensive coordinator Dave Ragone will oversee the quarterback position in addition to his role as coordinator. Ragone, a former NFL quarterback, worked hand-in-hand with previous quarterbacks coach Charles London the past two seasons. London was named Tennessee's passing game coordinator in early February. Michael Pitre and T.J. Yates will continue to coach the running backs and wideouts.
Join us as we take a look back at our favorite photos of our home, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, during the 2022 Atlanta Falcons season.
General view during warmups prior to the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, October 16, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
General view from the roof after the victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, January 8, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans interact with the Red Helmet outside of the stadium before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, October 16, 2022. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/Atlanta Falcons)
A view of the halo board during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on October 2, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
View of seats before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on October 16, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes from the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Sunday, January 1, 2023. (Photo by Scoot Holloway/Atlanta Falcons)
An overall view during the Falcons First Look practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, June 3, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
View of the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, August 27, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Overall view after the Atlanta Falcons Open Practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Monday, August 15, 2022. (Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Overall view of the confetti during the wall reveal for Girls Flag Football at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the halo board after the Atlanta Falcons score a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, October 16, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes from the Dirty Birds Nest during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Sunday, October 16, 2022. (Photo by LaToya Wright/Atlanta Falcons)
General view of the coin toss prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 11, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
View of the field before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on October 16, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
View of the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, January 9th, 2022. (Photo by Karl Moore/Atlanta Falcons)
General view from the roof after the victory against the Cleveland Browns at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, October 2, 2022. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
View of the falcon statue before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on October 16, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
View of seats before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on October 16, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the halo board while the Atlanta Falcons play against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
View from the roof of the ribbon honoring Damar Hamlin against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, January 8, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
View of seats before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on October 16, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
An over view of the stadium during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, October 16, 2022. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/Atlanta Falcons)
Overall view of fans against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Sunday, October 30, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
The Delta Terraces overlooking the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, January 1, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
