Brian VanGorder leaving Falcons for Auburn
FLOWERY BRANCH — Brian VanGorder, the Falcons defensive coordinator for the last four
These two have to get the pass defense figured out. Here, Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder emphasies a point with head coach Mike Smith during defensive drills with players in the first padded practice at training camp in Flowery Branch on Monday, August 1, 2011. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
seasons, resigned to accept the same post at Auburn on Monday.
“Coach Brian VanGorder has accepted the position of defensive coordinator at Auburn University,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “Brian has been an integral part of our success here over the last four years. I want to thank Brian and his family for all that they’ve done for our organization. I want to personally thank Brian for all of his hard work and all the work that he’s done to make us successful here in Atlanta.”
Smith was a defensive coordinator under former Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio. He would not say if Del Rio, who was fired in Jacksonville, would be a candidate for the vacant defensive coordinator position.
“I’m not going to comment on that position at this point in time,” Smith said. “It’s something that just came about. We’ll go through the due process of getting the best defensive coordinator for our football team.”
Van Gorder joined Falcons coach Bobby Petrino’s staff as the linebacker’s coach in 2007. After Petrino left, he accepted the defensive coordinator’s position at South Carolina.
Smith, who coached with VanGorder at Jacksonville, hired him to be the Falcons’ defensive coordinator.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me and my family at this point in my career, both professionally and personally, to become the defensive coordinator at Auburn,” said VanGorder, who served as the defensive coordinator at Georgia from 2001 to 2004. “I’m looking forward to working at a school with the success and tradition of Auburn, and for a coach like Gene Chizik, who has led the program to a national championship. I’m very appreciative to the Atlanta Falcons and Coach Mike Smith for the experience of the last four years. It’s a great organization and will have continued success in the future.”
VanGorder’s defense finished the regular season second in the NFL in red zone defense, sixth in rushing defense (97.0 ypg), and 12th in total defense (333.6 ypg). But they struggled rushing the passer and playing the pass. In college at Georgia, he had a penchant for blitzing. But during his Falcons tenure, his unit played mostly zone coverage.
“I’m very excited to have a coach like Brian VanGorder join our staff at Auburn,” said Auburn coach Gene Chizik. ”From the beginning of this process, I had one person in mind, and that was Brian. He has achieved success at every level, both professionally and collegiately, which is a testament to his ability as a coach. He has been one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, has won a Broyles Award at the college level, and understands what it takes to succeed in the Southeastern Conference. We’re pleased to welcome Brian and his family to Auburn.”
VANGORDER’S COACHING BACKGROUND
2008-11 Defensive Coordinator // Falcons
2007 Linebackers // Falcons
2006 Head Coach // Georgia Southern
2005 Linebackers// Jaguars
2001-04 Def. Coor./Linebackers // Georgia
2000 Def. Coor./Linebackers // W. Illinois
1998-99 Def. Coordinator // C. Michigan
1997 Asst. H. Coach/Def. Coor. // C. Florida
1995-96 Linebackers/Sp. Tm. Coor. // C. Florida
1992-94 Head Coach // Wayne State
1989-91 Def. Coor./Linebackers // Gr. Valley St.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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563 comments Add your comment
SirReal
January 9th, 2012
3:23 pm
@ Tyler Yes sir. He’d be a great fit…the only thing is how will the D look next year with so many free agents.
BVG finally realized than the NFL was too much for him. NOW we’ll know if its Smitty or not on THAT side of the ball…now if we can only get rid of Mularkey….
Peter
January 9th, 2012
3:24 pm
How about that from Pros to college…….. Great stuff… maybe we can adjust next year after the 1st 1/2.
Now to get rid of the O Coordinator !
moonlighters
January 9th, 2012
3:24 pm
Maybe these coordinators spent more time preparing for interviewing than for the game yesterday. Get rid of Mularkey too!
SCFalcon
January 9th, 2012
3:24 pm
Thank you!!!!!!!!!
Cal
January 9th, 2012
3:24 pm
Next up OC and HC, let’s get them out while we still have great choices on replacements out there.
Section 322 Row 7
January 9th, 2012
3:24 pm
@ HadEnough… I agree 100% !!!! But we need a whole new regime. Mike Smith should not get another pass! Another $1600 for a playoff embarrassment.
rollo lawson
January 9th, 2012
3:24 pm
@UGAKev
I’ll take my chances
Cal
January 9th, 2012
3:24 pm
The OC should’ve been first.
BW
January 9th, 2012
3:25 pm
As a Falcons and Tech fan…great news!!!!
One down, two to go
January 9th, 2012
3:25 pm
I wouldn’t say we ‘lost’ BVG… the writing has been on the wall for a while. He jumped at a chance for a job of any kind after the underperformances of recent weeks. Hopefully we will have a few more press conferences in coming weeks
PMC
January 9th, 2012
3:25 pm
At the very least, I’ll always love coach BVG for the reaction after Peters’ blunder to end the game at Tampa this year.
Absolutely CLASSIC!
Marcus
January 9th, 2012
3:25 pm
Interesting …. we may have to replace both coordinators, in addition to talent upgrades in key positions on the OL and DBs
steve
January 9th, 2012
3:25 pm
BVG was almost successful in destroying the football program at Georgia Southern when he jumped ship to join the Falcons. When he left Georgia Southern he made the comments that he felt more comfortable at the NFL level. Times change.
Don
January 9th, 2012
3:25 pm
What was our defensive percentage on 3rd down this year?
No More!
Rod "straight outta augusta"
January 9th, 2012
3:25 pm
Everyone can cancel the possibility of Spags. The RAMS still owe hime 1 yr salary. If he accepts the Falcons job, he would loose that salary. Unless the Falcons are willing to pay that kind of money, which I seriously doubt, there is no chance in hell (Vince McMahon voice) he comes to Atlanta.
Cal
January 9th, 2012
3:26 pm
Mike Smith should go to, plain and simple.
PMC
January 9th, 2012
3:26 pm
Forget the playoffs for a second, just win and or don’t get embarassed on national television one time.
Joe Tess Fish House
January 9th, 2012
3:26 pm
God ridance 2 him I say!
DAWG DUDE
January 9th, 2012
3:28 pm
Any Auburn fan who doesn’t think this is a good hire = moron
Joe Tess Fish House
January 9th, 2012
3:28 pm
Find some 1 who can teach those loosers how 2 tackel. I am sick of tired of all them mised tackels. Maybe the new DC will get rid of that looser Donta Roberson as well as Perrier Jerry
Einstein
January 9th, 2012
3:28 pm
LEAVE MULARKEY! GO AHEAD!!!!!!!!!
This is great news. We needed some new blood in here. I’m ready to see how our new defense is going to look. But sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. We shall see.
Samuel
January 9th, 2012
3:28 pm
This situation works out for everybody who’s concerned, thank you Brian Vangorder for an average defense for four years.
SirReal
January 9th, 2012
3:28 pm
Chizik is drunk: ” He has been one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL…” Yeah right!!!
Let's Go
January 9th, 2012
3:29 pm
Go and take Mularkey with you.
Tyler
January 9th, 2012
3:29 pm
@Rod – Good point, if true there’s not much chance he coaches anywhere next year.
dawg tired
January 9th, 2012
3:30 pm
Hey, BVG:
Got room in the car for Mularkey? No points scored on the NFL’s 27th ranked defense? Unbelievable!
Shogun-sama
January 9th, 2012
3:30 pm
Thank Gads,..now if some fools will just take Mularky off our hands before he’s (Hopefully) poop-canned.
Joe Tess Fish House
January 9th, 2012
3:30 pm
Hey Vangordon take the looser Ray Edmunds with U 2!
DawginLex
January 9th, 2012
3:31 pm
BVG made Coach richt successful in Athens and for that I will always be appreciative.
However, BVG is a nomad. Never stays anywhere too long.
This is a definite upgrade for Auburn though.
Greg McGarity should take note.
We hired an NFL caliber DC before Auburn did. Auburn had a genius running the offense at OC.
We need to upgrade at OC
Einstein
January 9th, 2012
3:31 pm
It could be Smith’s philosophy guys. I don’t think so because he had great defenses at Baltimore and Jacksonville. It had to be more BVG. Del Rio would be a good hire. I think our defense has become instantly better. Now for the offense. We need another OC.
In the draft and FA we need:
-left tackle
-right guard
-corner
-running back (young gun, who is big, but not obese like Turner, and can run)
KBB
January 9th, 2012
3:31 pm
Its about time you put the story up fat-boy
JSin
January 9th, 2012
3:31 pm
Time to bring in the hitman…Spags…going to look gangsta with those dark shades in the dome!!
Mike Martz
January 9th, 2012
3:32 pm
I know what you need in the Dirty South!
Not Cool
January 9th, 2012
3:32 pm
1 down and 2 to go! Smith and Bullsh%#larkey need to be shown the exit too! VanGorder screwed up with the season with the zone crap. He knew the writing was on the WALL! So, it was time to HAUL! They pay Robinson tons of money to play zone? Please! Grimes is a good corner but he’s too short for those big receivers. I’ve got to say Chris Owens played a good game yesterday.
Tybee Island
January 9th, 2012
3:32 pm
Thank GOD… Time for a New face
For more info on Tybee Island Vacations: http://www.sandysbytheshore.com
Shogun-sama
January 9th, 2012
3:33 pm
@ Joe Tesh,..”Loosers?” Really? Learn to spell, swamp-monkey.
BIG C
January 9th, 2012
3:34 pm
LETS GET SINGLETARY, HE IS CRAZY ENOUGH TO MAKE OUR DEFENCE GREAAT
Einstein
January 9th, 2012
3:34 pm
Boy what I’d give for a first round draft pick. I’d draft David DeCastro [RG, Stanford] and he’s instantly start for us. I’d also draft a LT possibly Nate Potter from Boise State. I’d draft a running back. I’d proably sign a corner out of FA. We need a few tweaks.
Another Headache For UGA
January 9th, 2012
3:34 pm
More bad news Georgia! Despite what’s said on this blog… Auburn just got an upgrade real fast! Murray, Crowell and Bobo can count this as a loss. Print it and Fram it!
Tommy T
January 9th, 2012
3:34 pm
BVG was awful at Ga. Southern, awful with the birds……great move!! I am now 70% sure I will renew my tix….MM gotta be next…..Mr. dive right…..dive left…..short pass….punt!!
Trade 4 Tim Teabow
January 9th, 2012
3:35 pm
4 get Vangordon. Flacons need 2 trade 4 Teabow!
Gumbo
January 9th, 2012
3:35 pm
We gonna try to rush the passer now?
Thoughtful
January 9th, 2012
3:35 pm
To everyone who is slamming Dimitroff and Smith, remember the good old days of praying for back-to-back winning seasons? Prior Falcons owners fired Leeman Bennett because they had reached a “plateau”. I don’t have any desire to go back to the bad-ol’-days. I have no beef with trading 5 picks to get Julio Jones. Given the Falcons track record, I prefer one dynamic player as opposed to 5 mediocre ones. I think Smitty has done an amazing job setting a winning tone for the team. What’s needed is better coordination of the talent once it has been acquired and after the right tone has been set. No better example of what’s missing in Atlanta on offense than Denver’s win yesterday. Denver’s play call in OT showed a coordinator who adjusted to what Pittsburgh’s defense was going to do. After 3 failures on 4th and 1, does any one believe that Mularkey will call anything other than something into the middle of an over-matched line the next chance he gets (hopefully in Jacksonville, Miami or Tampa)? Atlanta needs either Spagnoulu or Nolan for the defense and an innovative coordinator for the offense (my choice just got hired in New England – amazing how the best teams don’t miss an opportunity).
Shogun-sama
January 9th, 2012
3:35 pm
And I hope Van Goner takes his 60’s porn ’stach with him.
Troy
January 9th, 2012
3:35 pm
Mel Tucker!
Tim
January 9th, 2012
3:35 pm
Thank you, sir. May I have another.
IlliniDawg
January 9th, 2012
3:35 pm
If the Falcon’s poach my Dawgs a second time for a DC I’ll kill ‘em!
It took four years of ineptitude under Willie Martinez before we righted the ship under Grantham. Now the Dawgs have one of the best defenses in the NCAA. Grantham better not be going anywhere soon.
Einstein
January 9th, 2012
3:36 pm
It all comes down to coaching. Seriously. What’s the difference between the Saints and the Falcons? It’s not the players. We have talented players just like they do. But their coaching is far superior than what the Falcons have. Better coaches= better results.
dirty bird
January 9th, 2012
3:36 pm
I love Van G at Georgia and hated to see him go. The truth is he is always looking for something he thought was better. He may even take another position before he shows up at Auburn like he did the ole ball coach.
Thankful the DAWGS have Coach G and not Coach Van G.
Go DAWGS!
Ross
January 9th, 2012
3:36 pm
I like his hairdo and mustache.