Falcons hire Mike Nolan as new defensive coordinator
We know that Mike Nolan likes to wear suits. We'll have to see if needs some advice on bow-ties. (Associated Press)
The Falcons hired Mike Nolan, who received his start in coaching from Dan Reeves, as their new defensive coordinator on Tuesday.
He replaces Brian VanGorder, who left the team last week to become Auburn’s new defensive coordinator.
Nolan is considered a 3-4 coach. But Falcons coach Mike Smith’s respect for him from their days together in Baltimore runs deep. They will blend the principles of Nolan’s 3-4 with Smith’s 4-3.
The Falcons hired Dirk Koetter as offensive coordinator on Sunday.
Team owner Arthur Blank expects the new coordinators to bring a new set of eyes and expertise to the team.
“Their ability . . . to be totally objective, cold-hearted and unemotional about the young men that we have on the roster [should be an asset],” Blank said. “[We’ll] bring in some folks that will be able to give us maybe some new perspective, maybe some different perspective not only on team questions, but on player issues that we may have as well.”
Despite revamping the secondary and trying to bolster the pass rush, the Falcons struggled to improve their pass defense. Since 2008, they’ve ranked 21st (2008, 220.4), 28th (2009, 241.9), 22nd (2010, 226.6) and 20th (2011, 236.6).
“Moving forward, this defense needs to continue its growth and evolution as a passionate and fiery defense, one that is going to fly to the football, disrupt, be opportunistic and capitalized on opportunities to turn the game around; flip the game in critical situations,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “We’ll look for a coordinator who will [aid] Coach Smith and his approach to putting that type of aggressive defense on the field.”
Nolan has been a defensive coordinator in the NFL for 14 seasons. He also was San Francisco’s head coach from 2005 to 2008.
“Mike Nolan is an established coordinator in this League,” said Falcons head coach Mike Smith in a statement released by the team. “He brings more than 25 years of NFL experience to our team and has been a coordinator at this level for 14 years. Mike has a history of developing physically intimidating defensive units, and we are fortunate to have him join our staff.”
Nolan spent the last two seasons as the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator.
Last season, the Dolphins boasted the third best run defense in the NFL, allowing just 95.6 yards per game and 3.7 yards per carry. His defense also produced 41 sacks which ranked tied for 10th in the NFL and allowed the sixth fewest points per game at 19.6. The Dolphins also ranked seventh in third-down percentage (33.8) and sixth in red zone defense, holding opponents to a 44.2 touchdown percentage inside the 20.
In 2010, Nolan’s defense ranked among the league’s top ten in overall defense, pass defense and run defense, and was one of just five units in the League to accomplish that feat. Nolan joined Miami after spending the 2009 season as the defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos. Under his tutelage, Denver’s defense improved to seventh in the NFL in total defense after finishing 29th in 2008. Denver’s pass defense was equally impressive, ranking third in the NFL, allowing just 186.3 yards per game through the air.
Prior to joining the Broncos’ staff, Nolan served as the San Francisco 49ers’ head coach from 2005 to 2008. During Nolan’s four-year tenure with the club, the 49ers were one of the NFL’s most consistent teams in stopping the run. San Francisco ranked fourth in the league in yards per carry during that period surrendering just 3.9 yards per rush.
Nolan spent four seasons in Baltimore from 2001 to 2004, including the last three as the defensive coordinator. Nolan’s group tied for the NFL lead in takeaways (106) while ranking fifth in the league in both points per game allowed (18.8) and third down percentage (34.7). He also coached five Ravens defenders to nine trips to the Pro Bowl, while tutoring back-to-back AP Defensive Players of the Year in LB Ray Lewis (2003) and S Ed Reed (2004).
The New York Giants made Nolan the NFL’s youngest defensive coordinator in 1993 at the age of 34. He spent the next eight seasons as a defensive coordinator with the Giants (1993-96), Redskins (1997-99) and Jets (2000). In his first year with the Giants, his defense led the League allowing just 12.8 points per game. His coaching career began at his alma mater, Oregon University, where he served as a graduate assistant in 1981. He went on to coach at Stanford University and Rice University as a linebackers and defensive backs coach before the Denver Broncos hired him to be the special teams/linebackers coach in 1987. He spent six seasons with the Broncos and helped the team reach the Super Bowl in the 1987 and 1989 seasons.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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404 comments Add your comment
coloradofalconsfan
January 17th, 2012
7:17 pm
I like the hire. Nolan was great in Denver. Just couldn’t coach with that jerk McDaniels. In fact he’s been good every where he’s been. I think they can make the switch to 3-4. Heck Houston switched in one year and look where it got them! And BTW, we need to see Smith the way the titans did with Fisher and the way Steelers do with their coaches. Keep him for the long haul. You don’t fire a coach who took a pathetic dysfunctional team and has 4 straight winning seasons and 3 playoff teams. Give it a little more time and we will rise up to another level.
steven A.
January 17th, 2012
7:17 pm
Michael Turner is the next”elephant in the room.” Hope they trade him or even release him Outright.
Turner must go this off-season. Turner is sort of “holding the Falcons hostage”
Billick
January 17th, 2012
7:29 pm
Let’s see, Koetter is worst than Mularky and Nolan is better than Van Gorder. Sounds like break even to me.
RUDEDAWG
January 17th, 2012
7:30 pm
At this point it does not matter,offense will be same boring dink and dunk passes! Miss me with this bull im done as a fan!
bigslow
January 17th, 2012
7:34 pm
Not crazy about Turners style of running but at the end of the year he has 1300+ yards. We need a faster 2nd back in the 2 back system.
steven A.
January 17th, 2012
7:35 pm
By NFL standards, Matt Ryan is not top 10 and Turner is not “Elite.” Tony Gonzalez is also washed up.
Matt Ryan has to start because too much is invested in him. He needs someone strong behind him to
create competition. He does not fear losing his Job.
bobby
January 17th, 2012
7:38 pm
i don’t give a **** who the falcons hire as defensive coordinator until they get better players especially difference makers, this defense will be like it is now medicore.
steven A.
January 17th, 2012
7:39 pm
“Look at Turners numbers against playoff teams and teams with winning records, and he STINKS.”
Does not break tackles anymore or outrun anyone. Draft a RB or SIGN PEYTON HILLIS.
bigslow
January 17th, 2012
7:40 pm
In a 32 team league Mat is def in the top 10
MG
January 17th, 2012
7:42 pm
do the Falcons have a player on their current roster that could play NT in the 3-4 defense ?
john
January 17th, 2012
7:44 pm
I just read that Carl Nicks isn’t leaving New Orleans. He will be tagged instead of Brees. The Saints coach Sean Payton said Brees and Nicks are the most important players and they will get there money. They also might let Colston walk and re-sign Meachem for a cheaper price than Colston. I also heard the Saints are trying to sign Vincent Jackson from the Chargers if Colston walks. I don’t know whats worse: Saints might land Spaggs and sign Vincent Jackson or the fact the Saints will sign Carl Nicks so we don’t get him. Plus, there OC Pete Carmicheal might not leave the Saints to be the Raiders HC. Just when you think the saints are done, they come back even stronger. I don’t see us winning the NFC South next year.
Columbus
January 17th, 2012
7:44 pm
Great hire. Best DC in Atlanta in a long, long, long time. Personnel dont matter with the ATL defense, it wasnt doing anything much with the personnel! And they are going to mix the 4-3 and 3-4 somewhat and if that dont get a pass rush , might as well just run the the 3-4 anyway, at least you have an extra defender!
sc falcon fan
January 17th, 2012
7:47 pm
think it is a good hire, anything is better than bvg!
Kevin D
January 17th, 2012
7:48 pm
I swear some of you guys beat all I’ve ever seen. If you were as smart and good as you claim maybe the Falcons should have hired your ass instead, you bunch of couch potatos. The same ones claiming ” I won’t watch another game” we all know you will be sitting in front of the TV every Sunday looking in. We don’t need a bunch of bandwagon fans anyways… Find another team to root for if thats how you feel. Go Dirty Birds!!! The true fans will always be here rooting you on.
Greg M
January 17th, 2012
7:51 pm
Welcome Mr. Mike Nolan.
Mike is Back
January 17th, 2012
7:54 pm
Great hire, I was impressed with the job Nolan did in Miami, the Dolphin played smash mouth defense, and they always competed.
Mike Smith doesn’t have any excuses now.
atl4eva
January 17th, 2012
7:56 pm
Listen up everyone. We are not going to fully convert to the 3-4 defense. We will run both at various times throughout the game. For instance if you put ray edwards, babineaux, and peters as the lineman, you can have abraham, biermann or possibly sidbury as the rush linebackers and weatherspoon and lofton as the inside backers, just to give teams a different look and throw them off. We are still going to be a 4-3 defense we are just going to have a lot more versatility.
steven a
January 17th, 2012
7:57 pm
Falcons “NEED” Vincent Jackson” to play opposite Julio. Jackson would be the “BEST FREE AGENT
HIRE OF THE OFF-SEASON” Ice Ice Ryan needs someone who can bail him out of his horrible throws.
Dallas Falcon
January 17th, 2012
7:57 pm
Great hire! Excited to read what Nolan says about 3-4 vs 4-3. This may be what the defense needs-it allows them to add one player, a NG, and improve the entire defense. The young DE’s, MAtthews and Sidbury can play rush LB, Nicholas can play on the other side OLB, and Babineaux is a natural 5 technique DE. This may even save Jerry’s career if he can play the other 5 technique. The two top tacklers, Spoon and Lofton, will be free inside to run and hit. Everything is predicated on a two gap NT obsorbing blocks. Take a look at N. Jean Batiste in this weeks East West Shrine game, he’s 6′2″ 320 and runs a 5.02. Right now projected as a 5th rounder.
glenn
January 17th, 2012
7:59 pm
Great hire, shows they thinking outside the box. Might see a little more aggression.
Sambo 4 Rambo
January 17th, 2012
8:00 pm
To all you Falcon “band wagon riding” fans that say we will always be happy with mediocre and fire smitty and we wanted spaggs…..these past four years have been incredible! I remember for decades we couldnt GIVE a ticket away for the game, much less, buy a game for our birds. This organization is headed in the right direction with the right personnel calling the shots. Now focus on that buster secondary we have! GO BIRDS!
Chop Buster
January 17th, 2012
8:03 pm
He’s a 3-4 and 4-3 coach. I don’t know why DLed makes it sound as though he’s just a 3-4 DC.
FalconFreak
January 17th, 2012
8:07 pm
So what was the criteria for hires, was Smitty looking for Monday nite poker players or bridge partners? I don’t sense a winning staff here, just more of the same.
steven a
January 17th, 2012
8:10 pm
Still need more playmakers on offense. LaMichael James would be a nice extra RB/PR/KR/WR.
Kid out of Stanfor,d Fleener, 6″6 TE with 4.6 speed should be DRAFT TARGETS…………………….
P. Bull Terrier
January 17th, 2012
8:21 pm
I thought one of the problems this year was that the Falcons too often looked like they were trying to blend the 3-4 and the 4-3 defensive schemes – 3 defensive linemen rushing the passer, 3 linebackers plugging up the run, and 5 guys randomly roaming around the field hoping they bumped into someone.
E Love
January 17th, 2012
8:36 pm
who is going to throw the ball to Vincent Jackson if we were lucky to get him? Matty Freeze Up can’t get it to Jackson.
Laughing Out Loud
January 17th, 2012
8:43 pm
Great hire! Haters keep on hating! Complainers never win and winners never complain! Oh, that’s winners never quit and quitters never win…Any way, we have far to many so called fan complainers. It’s not the team that is medicore, but the fans certainly are! Go Falcons! Your efforts are appreciated!
44counter
January 17th, 2012
8:44 pm
Wake me up when they start bring in solid players. All this OC and DC ish is just chewing the fats…..players make it happen or not.
Iowahorse
January 17th, 2012
8:53 pm
Well, gotta say I like this hire. I was hoping for Nolan or Spags, so I’m pretty happy with this. Sure beats Cpt. Porn ‘Stache by a mile.
Spagnuoulo
January 17th, 2012
9:00 pm
For the love of God. Enough with Spags…I dont even know you people.
jonk facons fan
January 17th, 2012
9:14 pm
Well did Miami go to playoffs? Just sayin! Defense wins game but how many games did Miami win? Just wonder.
Jason
January 17th, 2012
9:18 pm
Last week I was hoping that we sign Nolan as DC, but then I heard he runs the 3-4 and so I figured we would look elsewhere for a DC. However I see now that Smitty still hires him. He has a proven record, but do we have the people to run the 3-4. I remember when Wade Phillips tried to run the 3-4 here some years ago and had people out of position, because we did bot draft for that scheme.
I cannot see how this can be successful, but I pray that I am wrong.
bama52
January 17th, 2012
9:20 pm
Need to get some offensive linemen, just heard a New Orleans pro bowler will be on the market. Also shop around for some defensive backs. These two areas should be addressed ASAP.
D-Man
January 17th, 2012
9:25 pm
And yea, I agree with every last one of you that said it won’t matter until we get some players that are difference makers – great point cause you can’t coach up having BALLS when its put up or shut up time. All this good guy, Falcon filter mess has us being softer than Twinkie filling. I know having class is a good thing, but dayyyum this is gladiator warfare not the children’s network Blank and T.D.
Falcon Fan 24-7
January 17th, 2012
9:27 pm
The Saints fired Greg Williams.Now, it looks as though they have the inside track for Spags. Go figure.
SirReal
January 17th, 2012
9:42 pm
What if Spagnuolo is this year’s Jason Garrett from a couple years back?
geekoh
January 17th, 2012
9:58 pm
Does this mean we can expect a run at Paul Soliai since he is a FA?
mark
January 17th, 2012
10:01 pm
All you haters need to look at his numbers. Numbers don’t lie!! Smith didn’t say they will run the 3-4 defense. It says they will run a hybrid, or mixture if you will. Damn read before commenting ppl. Free agency is close to starting, and I’m sure new defensive personnel will be brought in to compliment the type of defense they want to run. I love the hire. GO BIRDS!!
wins-by-a-link
January 17th, 2012
10:04 pm
Hope Nolan can turn things around, BVG never got the Falcon D anwhere near the top ten in NFL, I liked BVG at Ga. But I think it was time for him to go, Sorry I can’t wish him luck at Auburn, He probably won’t be there very long anyway.
What Pass Defense?!
January 17th, 2012
10:05 pm
To All The Saints fans crashing our blog:
Who Dat, Who Dun
You Dat, Who Dun
wins-by-a-link
January 17th, 2012
10:09 pm
Maybe the Falcons aren’t as bad as they looked against the Giants, After the way the Giants handled Green Bay the Falcons may only need minor tune-up.
zig
January 17th, 2012
10:21 pm
Good hire if the Falcons plan on going to the 3-4 which they should. The best way to beat teams like the Saints, Packers, and Patriots is a 3-4 since these team run this defense also. The last time the Falcons went to the Super Bowl was under a 3-4 defense(Wade Phillips). If the Falcons would of drafted Patrick Willis instead of Jamal Anderson(bust). It should of been Willis, Lofton, Weatherspoon, and a hometown product like Phillip Wheeler(Georgia Tech) at linebackers. Get rid of Ray Edwards, put Abraham,Peters, and Babineaux at DL. Get a outside and a inside linebacker. Put William Moore at strong safety, get a ball hawking Free Safety and a Good corner and lets ride out. Also need a young stud running back like Richardson(Alabama). BIRD FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!
What Pass Defense?!
January 17th, 2012
10:22 pm
I like both hires. Pat Yasinskas, the NFC South blogger for ESPN checked with Paul Kuharsky, the AFC South blogger for ESPN, who told him Dirk Koetter is a highly respected OC in the NFL. I like what he said about keeping the parts of the Falcons offense we do well, even if it is not part of his normal scheme or philosophy, and then improving other areas where we are not so good. He is known for having a vertical passing game – something we have lacked. He needs to hire a QB coach whose specialty is developing a QBs ability to throw an accurate deep ball. The lack of an accurate deep ball is Matt Ryans only weakness.
BVG improved the Falcons defense “statistically” every year he was here, but it was not enough. I am glad he is gone and now Mike Nolan is here. I am confident the Falcons can switch to a 3-4 defense immediately. The only player we lack is the gigantic NT now, and I do not think it will be impossible to get one in free agency and/or the draft, or both so we also have a back-up.
Caleb
January 17th, 2012
10:24 pm
I love the hire for dc. But Koetter, really?
falconsrus
January 17th, 2012
10:25 pm
move d rob to safety
Caleb
January 17th, 2012
10:26 pm
We will miss the playoffs this year and smith will go!
Caleb
January 17th, 2012
10:28 pm
Didnt smith learn the first time we couldnt make it on fourth and inches in that game. and what about when we couldnt convert on fourth down in ot against the damn saints
Give me a break
January 17th, 2012
10:31 pm
Fire smitty anybody that says that is an idiot or do not know the history of this organization….does anybody remember the clampetts? Jeff George or June jones or Jerry Glanville? Smitty has done a hell of a job and I have been disappointed with the playoffs sure and all I want is the Lombardi trophy too god knows this city could use many more titles? I guess we can blame Eugene Robinson for all fans that remember that debacle,,, maybe if we could talk to the wizard of oz we could ask for a set of nads for Ryan a brain for smitty…some stickum for roddy..a new offensive line…and for Dante Robinson to get another job like jamaal Anderson
Caleb
January 17th, 2012
10:37 pm
Coach smith has done a good job. but post season is where it counts. he cant get it done its obvious. then he brings his buddy dirk koetter along to be the new oc. really? ranked dead last in offense. the new hire speaks for itself. and so does smiths post season record.
Q-ball
January 17th, 2012
10:40 pm
The people that say Matt Ryan does not have an arm has no clue. As I recall his first pas in the league was a deep Pass for ts and the best pass he ever made was a great sideline throw to Michael jenkins