Dirk Koetter named Falcons’ new offensive coordinator
Dirk Koetter, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars, agreed to terms to become the Falcons
Dirk Koetter (Associated Press)
new offensive coordinator on Sunday, the team confirmed.
Koetter is set to talk to the media on a conference call at 11 a.m. Monday.
“I am very pleased to add Coach Koetter as our offensive coordinator,” Falcons head coach Mike Smith said in a statement issued by the team. “Dirk is a veteran offensive coach who will bring years of NFL experience as an offensive coordinator as well as a fresh set of ideas to our offense. He is bright, he understands the intricacies of the vertical passing game, but he also wants to be able to run the football which is very important in the NFL. I look forward to working with Dirk and have tremendous confidence that he will be a great addition to our team and our coaching staff.”
Koetter, 52, was Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator from 2007 to 2011. He will replace Mike Mularkey, who left to become Jacksonville’s head coach. AJC columnist Jeff Schultz has checked in already on the hire.
Falcons coach Mike Smith and Koetter were Jacksonville’s coordinators in 2007. Smith was hired to take over the Falcons the following season.
Smith is high on Koetter’s work and with how running back Maurice Jones-Drew led the league in rushing while the Jaguars had a rookie quarterback and an anemic passing attack. The Falcons running attack posted big numbers, but struggled in short yardage situations. Missing Pro Bowl fullback Ovie Mughelli certainly hur their short-yardage attack.
Koetter was head coach in the college ranks at Boise State and Arizona State. The Sun Devils’ vertical passing attack helped him land the offensive coordinator position with Jacksonville.
At Arizona State he had four winning seasons and went to four bowl games.
Thanks to @CavemanGamer who tweet us this link. It’s an interview with Koetter from July 2011 on XandOlabs.com.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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559 comments Add your comment
Sid
January 16th, 2012
11:19 am
countryron86 January 16th, 2012 10:47 am
It does not matter who they hire to run the Offense. Until they get rid of Matt Ryan the Falcons will never go anywhere. They need to trade his ass to the Colts for the first round pick, then select Robert Griffin.
******************************************************
Brilliant. Any comments from countyron’s other brother countryron……?
border dweller
January 16th, 2012
11:20 am
As a Falcons fan and a Jaguars fan, I believe I sit in a unique spot that qualifies me to ask “WTF?”
tt44
January 16th, 2012
11:23 am
WELL…go figure…I really am not sure if this is the right move.Howevr, I do know as a Falcon fan, that I am totally disgusted with being a doormat in the NFL playoffs! EMBARRASED. Smitty, with this hire (as with JJ draft) you need to make sure that you are not only the driver of your bus, bus make sure your desire, vision and focus are leading your bus up the right road! Because, I gotta tella, I am tired of loosing and cant make six inches forward when needed! Get U some tought mean O linemen, and D linemen, or your future doesnt look bright!
monty
January 16th, 2012
11:24 am
The way I see it, the 2 best QB’s in the league just went down in defeat to teams that were tougher than they were. Physically and mentally. Maybe not talent wise but definitely tougher. Tougher in the pass rush and in stopping the run Tougher O-lines, Protect the QB!! THat takes an offensive line that can give the QB time to go through progressions. Whatever Brees or Rodgers have over Manning, Manning proved to be deadly given and extra couple of seconds to find his receivers.
monty
January 16th, 2012
11:27 am
Not really an offensive guru. I’d say Smith just bought himself one extra year. If after the 2013 season we’re not any better, then the hole crew is toast, starting with Dimitoff.
birddroppings
January 16th, 2012
11:39 am
Get rid of that tacky rise up commercial because the falcons are going down with stupid moves like this
Die Hard Falcon
January 16th, 2012
11:41 am
This is sooooooo disappointing. I was depressed about our early exit again, but when I saw the press conference about “fresh perspectives” and knew that we were getting new coordinators, I thought, maybe this will push us over into a playoff-winning team. And then this…I’ll admit, I haven’t watched the Jags except when we crushed them this year, but we want to improve the team and then hire the O-coordinator of the 32nd ranked Offense?!?
I won’t say anything negative about Koetter, b/c I don’t know anything, but 32nd (dead last) speaks volumes and I just don’t understand how they expect a better result. I know the Falcons have much more talent on our offensive roster, but play-calling was a big part of our problem, besides a lack of physicality, and this just leaves me deflated. Boring, vanilla, conservative, lame, non-winning come playoff time. Those are the words that come to my mind. Believe it or not, I’m generally an optimist when it comes to my team, but this just stinks, I really hope they prove otherwise
PMC
January 16th, 2012
11:47 am
How can you be disappointed or thrilled with the hire?
They had a rookie QB who was AWFUL last year. They had WR’s that an incredibly overpriced corner back who hasn’t worked out in this city took to twitter after the game to denigrate.
MJD won the rushing title, when everyone knew they were going to run.
So clearly, the guy can get a lot out of talented players.
The Falcons main issue is that every team left in the playoffs is ACTUALLY physical and tough. Not just lip service. Every team left is more physical than the Falcons.
They HAVE to find a pro bowl guard this year and they have to start dropping opposing QB’s. Doesn’t really matter who calls the plays.
Mack
January 16th, 2012
11:48 am
MS has won 2 out of every 3 games in Atlanta, and that ain’t bad.
my take. Very seldom do teams replace both OC and DC without replacing the HC. It happened here because MS has a good record and these guys were not fired. MS wants someone he can influence as OC. He also wants to excell(if for no other reason than to keep his job)He thinks DK is his guy. He goes to TD and says DK is my guy. TD does his do diligence. He likes to reach. He tells MS OK but AB really likes this guy (Spags/Nolan?) for DC(big$$ big name HC type guy). TD has his bases covered for a year w/o many draft picks. If MS and DK do good he is a genius. If they fail he can say it was MS’s guy. AB gets to hedge his bets. If MS fails he promotes the DC.
I guess when they hire a DC we will see
Good luck coach DK! Welcome to Falcon land!
ron
January 16th, 2012
11:49 am
Matt Ryan did have a subpar offensive line but the truth is …..Matt cannot extend a play like Romo, Brees, Rodgers; nor can he scramble for nice gain every now and then like Alex Smith.
Matt cannot just sit in the pocket and throw…..the guy has to move around.
As for the OC……not sure what the heck is going on w/ the hire but will wait and see. Until we get a top notch DC, this looks like a setup for Failure.
GOOD BYE MR. SMITH
January 16th, 2012
11:55 am
PMS, What wss Jacksonville’s record? And what was the offensive rank? 32 out of 32! Sounds like he got alot outta his players! LMAO! What a joke!
Falconitis
January 16th, 2012
11:57 am
The selection of Koetter really shouldn’t surprise anyone. He is a good Coach and the Falcons offense will change for the better. Not likely to be GB explosive, but it will be better and take advantage of the tools we have in place.
My belief (especially after watching the playoffs) is that the pick for the DC will be way more important to the Falcons long term success.
Mack
January 16th, 2012
11:57 am
This old song lyric comes to mind
“free your mind and your a$$ will follow”
my remix
Fix your lines and the wins will follow.
I like it better than Rise Up!
ole richie
January 16th, 2012
12:00 pm
The 32 ranked offense stat as a diss on DK is irrelevant. The Jags had absolutely NO talent on offense. MJD was the only good player on the offensive side of the ball. Every team the Jags played knew they were going to run and MJD still won the rushing title. Don’t tell me DK didn’t have something to do with that. In ATL, DK will have a great QB, a solid group of receivers and a good back to work with. That being said, we should all hold off our criticisms until DK proves he can or can’t get the job done.
bm2957
January 16th, 2012
12:03 pm
@Ducktown – Atlanta doesn’t need to beat the “hottest” team in the playoffs, they need to BE the hottest team in the playoffs. There’s no honor to felt that you were beaten by the team that wins the SB.
Falconitis
January 16th, 2012
12:04 pm
Also…I find it funny that all the Atlanta Fans on here bashing Mike Smith and Dimitroff.
Apparently you haven’t been fans very long because you do not know our history very well. I am disappointed by the losing in the playoffs just like everyone else, but before Coach got to Atlanta…it was hit and miss…mostly miss. The only thing that kept us from being completely ashamed was the Saints. Both have righted the ship about the same time…true they have a Superbowl win, but we have our share of success.
We can break through this playoff drought and become a contender for years to come…that team that other teams hate to play because they know that we come to play. We can become the Steelers or Ravens…just have to stick the course, continue to draft well, and play some defense.
The DC position pick is a much bigger decision for this team than the offense is.
Fair n Balanced
January 16th, 2012
12:16 pm
Nothing to do with Falcons……….when is GA going to get real about its basketball program? Dead last in the SEC and falling. Dang! This is unacceptable! When Fox was hired, did we really expect to be dead last in the conference at this time? Come on!
FenderMan
January 16th, 2012
12:17 pm
I hear Greg Knapp turned them down. May be we can get J Mora Jr to be our DC.
This is not the hire I was looking for. I’ll give the guy a chance but he and Smith are
on a short leash.
PMC
January 16th, 2012
12:27 pm
obviously this was a Mike Smith hire. When you hire the statistically worst coordinator in the league, you’re going to take some heat over it especially when your offense was dinosaur to begin with.
What this means, is that next year better be special, or we’re probably back to square one again.
brandy
January 16th, 2012
12:27 pm
Someone tell this guy to do a ‘ GREEN BAY ‘ right/left when the team needs 4 ” for a 1st down.
One and Done
January 16th, 2012
12:31 pm
Wish Mike Smith would have talked his Brother in Law “Brian Billick” into the job…..but doubt he would be anyones assistant at this point….he won a Super Bowl as a head coach. Either way, they could have tried harder to find a better option other than Smitty’s pal.
Sonny
January 16th, 2012
12:35 pm
No body covered the NEWS CONF..For Dirk? Must not mean much to Falcons.
Paul Johnson
January 16th, 2012
12:36 pm
Why didn’t I get a chance to interview. I would put Julio at QB, Turner at B Back, and Rodgers at A back. With my illegal chop blocking, I’ll have the other team whining to the ref’s all game. You know it would work until I started drafting Div II talent to plug into the offense. Also, I would bring ole’ Al Groh with me. You know he is the mastermind behind Bill’s defense in New England.
Trapped Section 322
January 16th, 2012
12:37 pm
Does anyone else feel trapped? As a season ticket holder, I do not want to re new this season but I will lose my seats that I worked hard to get…on the 50 yard line. Arthur Blank… you got bamboozled again.
Trapped Section 322
January 16th, 2012
12:39 pm
FOR THOSE OF US WHO WILL RE0NEW OUR SEASON TICKETS: BOYCOTT ALL CONCESSIONS, ALL FALCONS MERCHANDISE
Trapped Section 322
January 16th, 2012
12:44 pm
I have lost faith in the organization. Well, at least faith that we are an elite team. I only have faith that we will continue to be mediocre. Maybe I will just get 2 seats this year instead of 4.
Section 322 Row 7
January 16th, 2012
12:47 pm
Mediocre to me is good enough to make the playoffs but not good enough to win the (or even make) the Super Bowl. Isn’t that why the game is played?
JoFo
January 16th, 2012
12:49 pm
The Search for Falcons DC is Now Over. The Falcons organization announced today that Fred Dolittle has come to terms with the organization. Dolittle has been the DC for Small Fry Football League near Mayberry VA. for the past ten years. He comes with high endorsements from his grandfather on his on his mother’s side of the family and his uncle Barney states that he is a bodaciously good coach!
Go FALCONS!
rivercard
January 16th, 2012
1:00 pm
everyone is saying the Dc pick is bigger , but if you support Smith this seems incongruent. Smith supposedly is a great defensive mind. He obviously knows zero, nada, squat about running an offense. I would assume the offense will be handed over to Dirk. while Mike and dc concentrate on defense.
I usually just read but....
January 16th, 2012
1:01 pm
bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move
bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move
bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move
bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move
Did I mention this is a very bad move?
DECATUR FLASH
January 16th, 2012
1:10 pm
THIS HIRING OF KOETTER IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE LACK OF CONCERN THE FALCON MANAGEMENT HAS FOR THE SEASON TICKET HOLDERS. THE SEARCH FOR THE NEW OC WAS A SHAM. IF THEY DO THE SAME PROCESS WITH THE DC AND THE FALCON FLOP AGAIN. THIS COMING SEASON WILL BE MY LAST AFTER 10 YEARS. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE GOOD OLE BOY SYSTEM IS TO STOP PURCHASING SEASON TICKETS.
Joshing
January 16th, 2012
1:18 pm
The Falcon “fans” and the Falcons players have differing opinions. The “fans” treat it as a serious situation while the players treat it as a game. Which of the two are happier?
LOL
January 16th, 2012
1:21 pm
The ironic thing is, all these folks calling for Mularkey’s job already hate his replacement.
Well when you want an OC gone, you have to replace him…and this is an example of the risk that comes with such a thing.
Midseason of next year, people will be wishing Mularkey never left.
Brilliant armchair GMs and coaches in ATL. /sarcasm
LOL
Dennis
January 16th, 2012
1:26 pm
Censorship has reached new heights (or lows?) on NFL.com. I tried to post the following comment and it was kicked back saying it contained “inappropriate language”:
“I went to the first game the Falcons ever played and have been bleeding with them ever since. In all that time, I’ve not seen a hire that aggravates me more than this one, and that includes Petrino. To hire the architect of the worst offense in the league and try to pass it off as a good thing is just beyond belief.
I gave up watching baseball when it became clear the umpires had decided to take complete control of who wins and loses (by manipulating the strike zone) I’m REAL close to doing the same with football.
I know it won’t happen, but I’d like to see Blank step in and overrule this decision.”
KnockEmOut
January 16th, 2012
1:29 pm
The ATLANTA FLYING FALGUARS!
KnockEmOut
January 16th, 2012
1:30 pm
or THE ATLANTA FAGUARS!
GOOD BYE MR. SMITH
January 16th, 2012
1:37 pm
@Joshing,
Lets try not paying the “players” to play a game, and we shall see if the “players” start treating it as if it were a “serious situation”! Then we shall see, Who is Happier!
Michael M.
January 16th, 2012
1:41 pm
Heck…all the fussing about the Falcons and their moves and I was going to take a nap and thought about the Saints losing and got to laughing at them again Ha! Ha! Ha!………I just had to show up and let the Trolls know I was still laughing my axx off at them………..lololol……..what a bunch of Morons thinking they had that Superbowl Trophy in the Bag ! I bet hiram , SeenthisB4,and whodat1 and the rest are really having a bad, very bad start to the week Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Whats dah matter boys ?
I agree with some of these comments now, its time to start thinking about a new quarterback or at least a good back-up to start grooming cause as a few others have posted ” He Aint the One ” !
I am tending to agree with it now…..Atlanta needs to address that issue and running backs and secondary on defense and add some beef to that O-Line and they could be Contenders instead of Pretenders !
Come on mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn !
Dan Reeves
January 16th, 2012
1:42 pm
Enter your comments here
Dan Reeves
January 16th, 2012
1:43 pm
Mr. Blank, call me when you are ready, my number is 1-800-ha-ha-ha!
Michael M.
January 16th, 2012
1:45 pm
Hes getting too old now to be fooling with the Birds…………probably cause him more Heart Problems…………….laughing here
Pauls Johnson
January 16th, 2012
1:56 pm
What happened to SeenThisBFoe,,, He’s checked out,,, Hiramsaint,,, anyone,,,,,,,,,
Pnuts
January 16th, 2012
2:09 pm
Apparently, a gun fight broke out between SeenThisBFoe and Hiramsaint during or after the Anits’ loss to the 9ers, they will be sourly missed.
Pauls Johnson
January 16th, 2012
2:11 pm
Yep,, Applebees in Duluth,,, guess they can’t handle Duluth,,,,
Jeffro Bodeen
January 16th, 2012
2:13 pm
Same flavor….coming from a different store! You like vanilla??/….me like vanilla!! Huh huh drooool
Jeffro Bodeen
January 16th, 2012
2:15 pm
Four Cough Koetter!!
Pauls Johnson
January 16th, 2012
2:19 pm
Dirk,, what kinda name is that anyway.
jeff
January 16th, 2012
2:27 pm
I think we could have made a better hire for Oc but I can see what they may be driving at……..they dont want to be as dependent on a pass attack but an even attack jus look what happend to the pass heavy teams in the playoffs…..but it really depends on the DC we get…we cant stop the pass from anyone.we must have a better defense.
Pnuts
January 16th, 2012
2:42 pm
This is what I see that they maybe driving at……they are driving to be the other Jaguar of the south!
Pnuts
January 16th, 2012
2:44 pm
All that is missing now is an out-door stadium with real grass, then they would complete the Falcons –> Jaguars transformation!