Vaughn McClure of ESPN reports that the Falcons are promoting secondary coach/senior defensive assistant Marquand Manuel to defensive coordinator, replacing Richard Smith, who was fired this week.
According to McClure, it’s possible that Smith could remain on the Falcons’ staff in an advisory role, but he’s exploring other options right now.
Manuel, 37, began his coaching career with the Seahawks back in 2012 as their assistant special teams coach. He eventually worked his way up to assistant secondary coach before following Dan Quinn to Atlanta to become the Falcons’ secondary coach/senior defensive assistant in 2015.
In 2016, the Falcons were No. 25 in yards allowed, No. 17 in rushing yards allowed, No. 28 in passing yards allowed and No. 27 in points allowed.
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