Falcons

Falcons Fire HC Dan Quinn & GM Thomas Dimitroff

October 11, 2020

The Atlanta Falcons announced Sunday that they’ve officially fired HC Dan Quinn and GM Thomas Dimitroff.

Here’s a statement from team owner Arthur Blank regarding the moves:

“Decisions like these are very difficult, but the previous two seasons and start to this one have been especially hard for me because of the deep love, admiration and respect I and my family have for Dan, Thomas and their families,” said Blank. “For many years, they have represented me, our team, organization and Atlanta with class, commitment and all the passion you would want in the leaders of the team. But as everyone knows, this is a results business and I owe it to our fans to put the best product we can on the field. We have poured every resource possible into winning and will continue to do so, but the results of late do not meet our standard or what I’ve promised our fans. Therefore, we will install new coaching and personnel leadership of the Atlanta Falcons at the appropriate time.

“Our finish in 2019 earned an opportunity to show that momentum could be continued and built upon, but that has clearly not happened,” Blank continued. “And overall, the last 3-plus seasons have fallen short of my commitment to Atlanta and to our fans everywhere. I want them all to know that my commitment to winning has not wavered and I will continue to provide every resource possible to that end.”

Falcons President and CEO Rich McKay will assume day-to-day football operations responsibilities in the interim and will assist Blank in the search for a new general manager and head coach.

Atlanta is expected to announce an interim head coach on Monday.

Two interim head coach options for the Falcons to watch include Dirk Koetter and Raheem Morris, who both have prior head-coaching experience.

Quinn, 50, got his start in the NFL in 2001 with the 49ers as a defensive quality control coach before being promoted to defensive line coach. He spent time with the Dolphins, Jets and Seahawks in the same position before being promoted to defensive coordinator in Seattle in 2013.

Quinn was hired by the Falcons as their head coach in 2015. He helped guide the team to a Super Bowl appearance in his second year in 2016.

Since taking the Falcons’ head coach job, Quinn has led to the team to a record of 43-42 (50.5 percent) over the course of six seasons, which includes two playoff appearances.

Dimitroff, 54, took his first NFL job with the Chiefs back in 1993 as a scout. He worked for the Lions, Browns and Patriots before being promoted to director of college scouting for New England in 2003.

After five years in the position, the Falcons hired Dimitroff as GM for the 2008 season.

During his 13 years as Falcons GM, Dimitroff’s teams produced a record of 109-88 (55.3 percent), which includes six playoff appearances.