The Atlanta Falcons today announced that they have named Joel Collier Director of Pro Personnel.
"After a thorough and comprehensive search, I am pleased to have Joel Collier join us as our director of pro personnel," General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "He brings an extensive personnel background to our department, and he will provide strong leadership to our pro scouting group."
Collier brings more than 20 years of NFL experience to Atlanta. He joins the Falcons after spending five seasons as the assistant general manager for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009-13. Collier helped the Chiefs complete one of the best turnarounds in NFL history as the club won the AFC West with a 10-6 record in 2010 after going 4-12 in 2009. Working in concert with Falcons Assistant General Manager Scott Pioli, Collier helped identify and select Pro Bowl players such as Eric Berry (4), Justin Houston (4), Dontari Poe (2), and Dexter McCluster in the NFL Draft. He also spent one season drafting starters T Eric Fisher and TE Travis Kelce, and helping the club return to the playoffs after posting an 11-5 record.
Before moving to the front office with the Chiefs, Collier served as the New England Patriots secondary coach from 2006-07. In 2007, Collier helped the Patriots post the NFL's first 16-0 regular season and advance to Super Bowl XLII. Under his leadership, CB Asante Samuel earned first his Pro Bowl selection and was a first-team All Pro in 2007. Additionally, the Patriots ranked fourth in total defense (288.3 yards per game) and sixth in pass defense (190.1 yards per game). He also worked as the assistant secondary coach for the team in 2005.
Collier spent 11 years with the Miami Dolphins, coaching on both sides of the ball, coaching the running backs from 1998-2004, and serving as assistant linebackers coach from 1994-97. Prior to his stint in Miami, he spent three years with the Patriots, including one season as a pro scout (1993) and two years as the assistant running backs coach and receivers coach.
A New York native, Collier got his start in the NFL as an offensive assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1990 after spending two years as a graduate assistant at Syracuse University. He attended the University of Northern Colorado, where he played linebacker from 1984-87. Collier is the son of Joe Collier, a former Buffalo Bills head coach and defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots.
