Falcons’ next offensive coordinator: Jaguars’ Koetter (really?)
Dirk Koetter has spent the past five seasons as Jacksonville's offensive coordinator. (AP photo)
I’ve long made it a practice to not pre-judge coaches. We’ve seen enough examples of guys who can win the press conference but lose on the field, and vice versa.
That said, the Falcons’ hiring of Dirk Koetter as offensive coordinator isn’t going to spark any block parties.
Koetter has been working for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who this season finished 32nd in total offense, 32nd in passing and 28th in scoring – which wouldn’t be so bad if the NFL had, say, 100 teams and not 32. The assumption in Flowery Branch must be that there’s only so much a coach can do with Blaine Gabbert.
Koetter has been a known candidate from the outset. The news of his hiring leaked out Sunday morning and later was confirmed by the Falcons, although Koetter said he was under instruction from the team not to comment.
The second sentence of Koetter’s bio in the Jacksonville media guide begins, “Known for his expertise of the passing offense …” In his first season as Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator in 2007, the Jaguars finished seventh in total offense, 17th in passing and sixth in scoring. That also was Mike Smith’s last season in Jacksonville, before he was hired as Falcons’ head coach.
But this is what has happened to the Jaguars’ offense since:
• 2008: 20th total offense (15th passing), 24th scoring.
• 2009: 18th total offense (19th passing), 24th scoring.
• 2010: 15th total offense (27th passing), 18th scoring.
• 2011: 32nd total offense (32nd passing), 28th scoring.
The Jaguars have had some obvious personnel deficiencies. The organization was a mess and head coach Jack Del Rio clearly had lost his effectiveness. But it’s safe to conclude Koetter was not viewed as anybody’s “hot” candidate.
Two factors may have played into this hiring: 1) Smith wanted somebody he is comfortable with, and in this case that’s somebody he has worked with; 2) The Falcons’ third straight immediate playoff exit has, for the first time, put some heat on Smith, and that perceived uncertainty sometimes affects a team’s ability to hire a high-profile candidate.
That said, Koetter had a solid offensive reputation when he was Arizona State’s head coach, and was viewed by some as one of the rising coaches early on at Jacksonville. As recently as July, an NFL.com blog on Koetter included this: “The Jaguars’ offensive coordinator is on the cusp of taking that next step [in coaching]. If he can continue to get what he has gotten out of Jacksonville’s offense without an abundance of talent, especially if he manages to get Blaine Gabbert ready to play despite this lockout, then a move up is imminent.”
It’s ironic that Koetter should come from the organization that just hired the Falcons’ recently maligned offensive coordinator, Mike Mularkey, as head coach. Mularkey might have been fired even if he had not gotten the Jacksonville job, given the predictability of the Falcons’ offense and the widely held belief that he did not fully utilize the weapons on the roster.
That’s on Koetter’s shoulders now. But it will be at least September before anybody is too excited.
By Jeff Schultz
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1,029 comments Add your comment
Larry
January 15th, 2012
12:56 pm
I think it would be wise for us to began wishing Blank would sell the team to a true leader.
Remember, it was Bernie Marcus that was the CEO and number one guy that founded Home Depot, and Arthur Blank as CFO simply helped to seek investors and managed the money. He is your classic number two guy and he shows it often with his decisions:
1. Firing Reeves,
2. Hugging and loving on Vick for all to view.
3. Hiring Mora
4. Hiring Petrino.
5. Marrying–and leaving–women 25 years his junior.
What is more successful, the Georgia Aquarium or the Atlanta Falcons?
SawThat1nce
January 15th, 2012
12:56 pm
We’ll just have to wait and see. If Smith makes this guy toe the line with his conservative run first philosophy, like he did the last OC.
And makes whichever person that they hire for DC follows his bend but don’t break defensive ideas, Smith won’t be around much longer.
5150 UOAD
January 15th, 2012
12:56 pm
I was SURE Mike BOBO was going to be the Falcons new OC.
Bama mike
January 15th, 2012
12:56 pm
Memo to Flowery Branch. See San Francisco on how to do it.
Marvin Mangrum
January 15th, 2012
12:56 pm
It is really rather simple, you can x it you can o it to death but really its just this, who hired the last genius? Somehow or the other I have just a nagging feeling that it was the same guy who hired the last one. Never read about it here, but I saw several games this year where it looked to me like someone did not have a plan. When you watch a half of a pro football and can not see the plan, would you say you have a problem? I saw at least 5 games where it looked like kiddie ball! So it is good that genius is gone, but why do we keep swapping all this great talent with, the ahem, Jags? Just curious.
Falcons4Eva
January 15th, 2012
12:57 pm
In this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnbNcQlzV-4 . . ..you have:
Arthur Blank plays the role as “The Boss”
Lucy Ball playing the role as “Coach Smith”
Ethel playing the role as “Thomas Dimitroff”
Totally Inept!
Runnin with the Dawgs
January 15th, 2012
12:58 pm
I remember when Mr. Blank bought the Falcons, and hired Mike Smith to be head coach. I thought here we go again, but he brought us a winner for three consecutive seasons. I’m sure Mr Blank approved this hire, and in view of what he has done with the Falcons so far I trust his judgement.
SirReal
January 15th, 2012
12:58 pm
BREAKING NEWS: Falcons hire Jacksonville Jaguars D-Line coach as DC. Or was it their LB coach? Or was it their secondary coach? Or was it……
Rankin Smith
January 15th, 2012
12:58 pm
Making me look like a genius.
Dennis
January 15th, 2012
12:59 pm
Sorry, but I just can’t get excited about this one.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 15th, 2012
12:59 pm
2008 vs NFC West……………….PUNKED
2010 vs NFC Nort………………….PUNKED
2011 vs NFC East…………………..PUNKED
CHOKE is running out of divisions to be PUNKED
slobberknocker
January 15th, 2012
12:59 pm
Is today April 1st ?
Cal
January 15th, 2012
1:00 pm
I’m with Danny………..No one from the falcon organization that matters read these blogs, if you want change. STOP BUYING GAME TICKETS AND OTHER FALCON ITEMS. the fans deserve better.
Way to go Blank!
January 15th, 2012
1:01 pm
Wow…I thought we wanted to win a superbowl. I thought Blank wanted to build a new stadium. Obviously not.
This isn’t on the players, it’s not on the coaches, it’s not on Dimitroff. This decision falls on Blank. Honestly, if this was the best his dream team could come up with he should have told them to kick rocks and started the rebuilding process a year early.
And for all the people talking about Jacksonville’s lack of talent, if this guy is going to be so great now that he has our talent then just think of what the Offensive Coordinator of the 31st ranked offense in the league would have been able to do. Lord knows what we could have had if we had even TALKED to the coordinator of the 15th ranked offense.
Way to go Falcons! Way to shed the years of losing and bring this team into a new age…of more losing.
Honestly, if he had sold the team back to the Smith’s I think I would have been happier.
tidog
January 15th, 2012
1:01 pm
The hire means nothing if the offensive line issue isn’t addressed. Mr. Blank has been talking toughness, the GM has been talking toughness sinc the abrupt season end.. Toughness isn’t what their line lacks, its power and strength. If the line doesn’t get overpowered on 4th and one three times this season we split with the Saints and possibly beat the Giants. You give your back a inch he’ll take a yard, Turner isn’t the problem it’s the guys opening the holes lack of power and strength.
Great Falconi
January 15th, 2012
1:01 pm
How many times do we run our mouths about how terrible or great someone is only to find that we’re wrong? I’ll give Koetter the benefit of the doubt, but Smitty’s on the hot seat and needs this hire to be a good one. We’ll see if Smitty gets what he needs.
tree rollins
January 15th, 2012
1:02 pm
News flash – del Rio just turned down the DC job with the Atlanta Jaguars after admitting even HE did not want to coach on a team with Welcome Back Koetter in the offensive reins again this season! Coach Smith now saying he may give the slot to Mike Peterson – a guy that understands the Jags defensive system.
cedrick
January 15th, 2012
1:02 pm
LOSER, They went out and hired a LOSER for OC!!!! Hell, I would have been happy with them going after a winner a college coaching but NOPE, they went after a LOSER!!!! Look I might have reached my limit with with the Falcons it may be time for me too get off the bangwagon of my home team and find a new squad!!!! This is very disappointing!!!!!!!!! Someone post the address of where I should sent all this Falcon mess back to Mr. Blank!
rivercard
January 15th, 2012
1:03 pm
Great Falconi- True enough and he may turn out to be great. But based on the facts we have at this point it doesn’t look like a good hire. I hope I am wrong.
Ted M
January 15th, 2012
1:03 pm
I know the Falcons don’t have a 1st round draft pick. Do the they have a 2nd round draft pick? I’m not sure. Anyone?
Cal
January 15th, 2012
1:03 pm
Make the front office do better, let’s just stop purchasing Falcon products and tickets till they do more. They can do better than what their doing, they’re just half azz presenting a product to the fans. YES I’M ANGRY, you should be too…………
SawThat1nce
January 15th, 2012
1:04 pm
Agreee with tidog, the GM needs to get a strong OLine and DLine also, if this team is going to have any success against the better NFL teams.
Bruce
January 15th, 2012
1:04 pm
Saying “He never had a QB to coach” is like saying I never had a job as a NASCAR driver, but you are going to put me in a car & see if I can win the Daytona 500. I hope I am wrong but I wonder what they saw in this guy? Not sure how going 32nd even with no talent shows that you have the ability to do an outstanding job. Lots of yds at ASU against Pac 10 defenses does not exactly give him rave reviews.
Devil's Advocate
January 15th, 2012
1:04 pm
I see all this talk about passing but what about his rushing numbers? You people in the media just like Falcons management will sink with the ship if you keep trying to make Matt Ryan = Brees/Rogers/Brady. Falcons must return to a dominant running game or else…
Fal Con
January 15th, 2012
1:04 pm
Welcome to Atlanta Coach Koetter. I wish you much success with the FALCONS.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 15th, 2012
1:05 pm
Man the Ravens know how to draft.
They don’t waste 72 million on a 22 PICK CHUMP
or…………………..
Throw away a WHOLE draft for a player that the BUST can’t utilize his downfield skills………………..
HA HA HA
10 Year Season Ticket Holder
January 15th, 2012
1:06 pm
I will be renewing my season tickets this year. Falcons, do not take that a vote of confidence. I am only doing it it sale to the fans of NFC East teams, I will take all that extra cash and go on a nice vacation instead of letting you disappoint yet again. Thanks for making the decision easy on me.
Bug Zapper
January 15th, 2012
1:06 pm
I’d trade Bobo for Koetter anyday!
Supa Steve
January 15th, 2012
1:06 pm
As Falcons fans usually do, most people are freaking out way too hard…am I impressed with the hiring? No…but have we lost trust in TD and company? I haven’t. Look what Koetter was given to work with besides his always great running game…David Garrard didn’t have the highest of ceilings, and the JAX’s best receiver in the last five years has been either Mike Sims-Walker or Mercedes Lewis. I’m interested to see what he can do with our talented offense that Mularkey couldn’t…
Cal
January 15th, 2012
1:06 pm
They have a second round pick, might need it to draft a DC though
dave
January 15th, 2012
1:07 pm
Regrettably, I fear this decision will be the beginning of the end for Mike Smith as the Falcon’s head coach, I hope I’m proved wrong.
Falcon Realist
January 15th, 2012
1:07 pm
This is great news. It means the Falcons are assured of having a new coach in 2013. Mike Smith does not get it. You have to have the ability to throw the ball in the Red Zone. What has Jacksonville ever won? So what Jones-Drew leads the league in rushing. Michael Turner is always around the top guys in rushing. Jacksonville’s problem was always passing the ball. This guy will not help Matt Ryan. Matt Ryan is disappointed himself. This guy will help Ryan remain where he is — a good QB, nothing special. In two years Alex Smith will move past Ryan on the QB ranking.
Mike Smith wants to feel safe and in charge of his team. He won and Arthur Blank got suckered again.
Trust me, Mike Smith has one year left before Thomas D. throws him under the bus.
jerseyfalcon
January 15th, 2012
1:07 pm
Who was last in defense last year?…last in special teams? Atl will hire him next…
The Czar
January 15th, 2012
1:07 pm
This is a sad hire. I want be renewing my season tickets. Tired of the same ole same ole.
Tommyb
January 15th, 2012
1:08 pm
Mike Smith is a clown …..what is about this nepotism …..this tells me he rather feel comfortable with his friends then making a tough decision. Also seems he more concerned for his buddies then the future of this franchise…… I cannot believe blank allowed this
GDawg
January 15th, 2012
1:08 pm
Greg Williams left as Saints DC guess who they are looking at Spags and Nolan think we will screw that one up too. They make it so hard to say go Falcons.
Section 335
January 15th, 2012
1:10 pm
OK, since I was already stupid enough to throw my chips into the middle of the season ticket pool for next season I think instead of purchasing my customary Falcons gear, I’ll buy a Jaguars jersey and throw Tuggle’s name on the back of it next season.
I feel like such a sucker and I know that the Falcons sales team is laughing at my stupidity this morning.
WaitandSee
January 15th, 2012
1:10 pm
wait&see……….Chuck Oliver? Really you are going to listen to Chuck “Fat DA” Oliver for your coaching advise? You have been Smoking with VICK & CROWELL?
5150 UOAD- Chuck Oliver also taught English in high school and he told me to tell you that it’s not advise he gives, it’s advice. Looks like someone was smoking when they posted that message. By the way breaktime is over. Back to the fries.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 15th, 2012
1:11 pm
Falcon Realist
January 15th, 2012
1:07 pm
This is great news. It means the Falcons are assured of having a new coach in 2013. Mike Smith does not get it. You have to have the ability to throw the ball in the Red Zone. What has Jacksonville ever won? So what Jones-Drew leads the league in rushing. Michael Turner is always around the top guys in rushing. Jacksonville’s problem was always passing the ball. This guy will not help Matt Ryan. Matt Ryan is disappointed himself. This guy will help Ryan remain where he is — a good QB, nothing special. In two years Alex Smith will move past Ryan on the QB ranking.
__________________________________________________
Dan Marino couldn’t help CHOKE……………….
He SUCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
tree rollins
January 15th, 2012
1:12 pm
David Garrard coming aboard as new passing coach under Koetter to coach up Matt Ryan – welcome to the all new Atlanta Jags.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 15th, 2012
1:14 pm
GDawg
January 15th, 2012
1:08 pm
Greg Williams left as Saints DC guess who they are looking at Spags and Nolan think we will screw that one up too. They make it so hard to say go Falcons.
_______________________________________________
Spags to Eagles
Nolan to Saints
Why would any good coach want to play with CHOKE?
HA HA HA
New Age Offense
January 15th, 2012
1:14 pm
The problem with Smitty and a lot of the old school coaches is they have a tendency not to change with the times. This is a new offensive age with the new rules average QB’s can throw for 300 yards. Smitty Stategy can get us to the play-offs but the Falcons will not be able to advance in the playoffs
JSin
January 15th, 2012
1:15 pm
Smitty is gone next year…no doubt about it. Why would they make this hire??
marshall
January 15th, 2012
1:16 pm
Well i’ll start off by saying not doing back flips over this hire. But the thing that does intrige me is that we hired someone who was being considered to coach for alabama. We all consider Nick Sabin a smart guy and a great coach weather you like him or not, and sabin interviewed him to take over a national championship offense, so there muat be something there. Plus he was the guy that started the climb of boise state rise out of obscirity. talent make you look good, lack of it makes you look badheres hoping he ends up look good with the talent we have.
Falcon Realist
January 15th, 2012
1:17 pm
Mike Smith hired one of his boys to prove loyalty because he will be looking for a LB coaching job in 2013 after the Falcons fail to make the playoffs.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 15th, 2012
1:18 pm
HA HA HA
Flacco in the 1st quarter has done what CHOKE couldn’t do the whole game……………..
SCORE Offensive points………………..
HA HA HA
DawgNole
January 15th, 2012
1:19 pm
D man
January 15th, 2012
12:23 pm
This is a great franchise compared to the beginning 30 years . . . I believe if you have a season like the Falcons had this season, it was a great season.
__________________________
Attitudes like this help explain why Atlanta (”Losersville”) has only ONE championship in ANY pro sport (’95 Braves) in its nearly half a century of putting teams on the field. Far too many fans are satisfied with mediocrity. D man even calls it “great.” What a loser.
DawgDad
January 15th, 2012
1:19 pm
Look, if I were on the hot seat like Smith I would want to circle the wagons with people I know and trust. I would not want to take chances on people or invite potential backstabbers onto the coaching staff.
It will be very difficult for the Falcons to overcome all the personnel upheaval coming this offseason and plug the gaping holes along the offensive and defensive lines to make a playoff run in 2012. The team may take a step back before they are positioned to move forward. People need to temper expectations – for all the glitz and glory and lofty expectations the Saints are sitting at home today, too, along with the Steelers.
It’s a good thing to be in the mix every year, but teams in all sports struggle to make the jump from playoff contender to playoff winner. Often, these teams focus on being one or two key players away and overlook significant talent gaps and weaknesses in other areas. The Flacons are a playoff contender and NOT a championship contender, and they have serious work at hand this offseason just to maintain the level of achievement.
tree rollins
January 15th, 2012
1:22 pm
Dimitroff just got his marching orders from the new coaching staff – trade Matt Ryan and no more than 5 draft picks for Blaine Gabbert now so we can jump start this Atlanta offense like it was in Jacksonville. TD just checked his cubbard and said he might not have enough draft picks left -but he noted he can use all his 2014 picks if Jax will take them off his hands….
Alan
January 15th, 2012
1:23 pm
You guys a re a bunch of whingers. Read the article referred to above about this guy’s philosophy. He emphasises spreading the field horizontally and vertically, and knows how to use the slot WR and RBs to open up the passing game. That alone puts him way ahead of Mularkey.
At least give the guy a chance to succeed, before passing judgment .If he’s that bad, we’ll be cleaning house and moving on soon enough.
PS – who are these proven, elite candidates that we passed up? Clements was awful as OC in Buffalo, Bilick (if he was even available) hasn’t coached a decent offense since 98, and Martz has been terrible at every job he’s held since leaving St Louis.