The Atlanta Falcons are actively searching for their next defensive coordinator after the organization parted ways with Jimmy Lake on Jan. 11. He was with the organization for one year.
As the Falcons begin the search to backfill his position, we will document that process extensively in this Falcons defensive coordinator tracker.
The plan is for the Falcons to announce interviews after they are completed with each candidate. We'll provide those updates here. In addition to official interview announcements, we will also aggregated reports of interview requests*.
Let this be your location for everything you need to know about the Falcons' search for a new defensive coordinator.
JEFF ULBRICH
Hired: The Falcons named Jeff Ulbrich the organization's next defensive coordinator on Saturday, Jan. 18.
Interview date: Wednesday, Jan. 15
Last stop: Interim head coach for the New York Jets (2024), previously the defensive coordinator (2021-24)
Resume highlights:
- Atlanta Falcons, 2015-20: Ulbrich was the linebackers coach from 2015-19. He maintained that role and added assistant head coach responsibilities to start 2020. When the Falcons fired head coach Dan Quinn after five games, though, Ulbrich was promoted to defensive coordinator for the remaining 11 games.
- New York Jets, 2021-24: Ulbrich was Saleh's defensive coordinator until the head coach was fired after five games in 2024, when Ulbrich was named interim head coach for the remaining 12 games.
MATT EBERFLUS
Date of interview: Saturday, Jan. 18
Last stop: Head coach for the Chicago Bears
Resume highlights:
- Chicago Bears head coach, 2022-24: Eberflus was most recently the head coach of the Bears. He was fired the day after Thanksgiving, when Chicago lost to its division rival, the Detroit Lions, 23-20 and extended its losing streak to six games. In his three seasons leading the Bears, Eberflus compiled a 14-32 record.
- Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator, 2018-21: Prior to becoming Chicago's head coach, Eberflus spent four seasons as the Colts' defensive coordinator. Under his watch, Indianapolis consistently fielded one of the league's best run defense and ranked among the top 10 teams in turnovers forced in each of his four seasons.
- Missouri Tigers defensive coordinator, 2001-08: Prior to making the jump to the NFL as a linebackers coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2009, Eberflus cut his teeth at the college level as defensive coordinator for Missouri. A former Toledo linebacker who played for Nick Saban and Gary Pinkel, Eberflus was hired by the latter once he assumed the Tigers' top job. Eberflus built a well-respected defense in the offensive-oriented Big 12. Among the players he developed into NFL-caliber talents were safety William Moore and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who were both drafted by the Falcons.
Analysis: Get to know more about Matt Eberflus
STEVE WILKS
Date of interview: Friday, Jan. 17
Last stop: Defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers (2023 season)
Resume highlights:
- Carolina Panthers, 2012-17: Wilks held the position of defensive backs coach (2012-14), assistant head coach and defensive backs coach (2015-16) and assistant head coach and defensive coordinator (2017).
- Arizona Cardinals, 2018: Wilks was named head coach in January 2018.
- Carolina Panthers, 2022 (second stint): Wilks began the season as the defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach before spending the final six games of the season as the interim head coach.
Analysis: Learn more about Steve Wilks' resume
GRADY BROWN
Date of interview: Friday, Jan. 17
Last stop: Secondary coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Resume highlights:
- Pittsburgh Steelers, 2021-24: Brown just completed his fourth season as the secondary coach. The Steelers gave Brown his first NFL job, announcing his hire eight days after the University of House named him its cornerbacks coach.
- NCAA, 2001-20: Brown spent two decades at the college level to kickstart his coaching career. He was most recently the defensive coordinator at McNeese State University in 2020 and the co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Old Dominion University in 2019. In total, he coached at a total of 11 programs during this time. His most notable time was with the University of South Carolina from 2012-15 as the defensive backs coach.
Analysis: What you need to know about Grady Brown
DERRICK ANSLEY
Interview date: Thursday, Jan. 16
Last stop: Currently the passing game coordinator (defense) for the Green Bay Packers
Resume highlights:
- Los Angeles Chargers, 2021-23: Ansley was the defensive coordinator for the Chargers for the 2023 season. It was his first time holding that title in the professional league. He was the secondary coach in 2021 and 2022.
- University of Tennessee, 2019-20: Ansley worked as the defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach for the Volunteers before making the jump back into the professional ranks.
- Oakland Raiders, 2018: He spent one season as the Raiders' defensive backs coach.
Analysis: Get to know more about Derrick Ansley
LOU ANARUMO
Interview date: Thursday, Jan. 16
Current job: Anarumo does not currently have a job in the league but was the former defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals until the end of the 2024 season.
Resume highlights:
- Miami Dolphins, 2012-17: Anarumo got his start as a defensive coach in the league when he was hired as the Dolphins' defensive backs coach. He held the title of interim defensive coordinator in 2015.
- New York Giants, 2018: He held the title of defensive backs coach again for the Giants for one season.
- Cincinnati Bengals, 2019-24: Anarumo became a full-time defensive coordinator for the first time with the Bengals. He worked with current Falcons safety Jessie Bates III during that tenure.
DON "WINK" MARTINDALE
Interview date: Tuesday, Jan. 14
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero also reported Martindale is expected to interview with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday following his interview with Atlanta on Tuesday.
Current job: Defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan
Resume highlights:
- New York Giants, 2022-23: Martindale's last NFL job was back-to-back seasons as a defensive coordinator.
- Baltimore Ravens, 2012-21: Martindale spent a decade with the Ravens, working as the inside linebackers coach (2012-15), linebackers coach (2016-17) and defensive coordinator (2018-21).
- Denver Broncos, 2009-10: Martindale worked one season as the linebacker coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator.
- Oakland Raiders, 2004-08: Martindale entered the NFL as an inside linebackers coach (2004-05) and then broadened those responsibilities to an overall linebackers coach (2007-08).
*Editor's note: The Falcons editorial staff is independently aggregating reports of Falcons interview requests from select reporters, without confirmation from the team. The full list of reporters: Adam Schefter (ESPN), Jeremy Fowler (ESPN), Dan Graziano (ESPN), Ian Rapoport (NFL Network), Tom Pelissero (NFL Network), Mike Garafolo (NFL Network), Jonathan Jones (CBS), Jay Glazer (FOX), Dianna Russini (The Athletic), Jeff Howe (The Athletic), Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated), Mark Maske (Washington Post).
