By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Atlanta Falcons have fired head coach Dan Quinn. In addition, the team has fired general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
Owner Arthur Blank has cleaned house after the Falcons have begun the 2020 season with an 0-5 record. An interim head coach is expected to be announced on Monday.
“Decisions like these are very difficult, but the previous two seasons and start to this one have been especially hard for me because of the deep love, admiration and respect I and my family have for Dan, Thomas and their families,” said Blank. “For many years, they have represented me, our team, organization and Atlanta with class, commitment and all the passion you would want in the leaders of the team. But as everyone knows, this is a results business and I owe it to our fans to put the best product we can on the field.
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“We have poured every resource possible into winning and will continue to do so, but the results of late do not meet our standard or what I’ve promised our fans. Therefore, we will install new coaching and personnel leadership of the Atlanta Falcons at the appropriate time.”
For the second time since Monday, the NFL has seen a team fire its head coach and general manager. Bill O’Brien — who was serving as the Houston Texans’ head coach and general manager — was fired on Monday.
This is the second straight season that the Falcons had a woeful start under Quinn. In 2019, the team began the season with a 1-7 record.
Then, went 6-2 over the final eight weeks following their Week 9 bye.
“Our finish in 2019 earned an opportunity to show that momentum could be continued and built upon, but that has clearly not happened,” Blank said. “And overall, the last 3-plus seasons have fallen short of my commitment to Atlanta and to our fans everywhere. I want them all to know that my commitment to winning has not wavered and I will continue to provide every resource possible to that end.”
The 50-year-old Morristown, New Jersey native was the Falcons head coach from 2015 through 2020. He was 43-42 during his tenure.
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He also was 3-2 in the playoffs. In 2016, he guided the Falcons to Super Bow LI against the New England Patriots.
Atlanta was leading the game 28-3 late into the third quarter when things began to fall apart. The Patriots then won the game in overtime.
Only twice in his tenure did the Falcons make the playoffs. They went to the playoffs in 2016 and 2017.
Dimitroff joined the Falcons as their General Manager in 2008. Before serving as the Falcons GM, he worked for the New England Patriots as their Director of College Scouting from 2003 through 2007.
“Thomas Dimitroff has been with us through a lot, including a vast majority of my ownership of the team,” Blank said. “I’ve seen his two beautiful children grow up here and I have great personal affection for him and his family. I’m also grateful for his hard work and contributions to our many successes over the last 10 years. He came in at a time when the franchise needed to rebuild trust in this community. By bringing in Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and several others, we changed the trajectory of the franchise and set us up for a run of success the team had never achieved before.
“I am very appreciative of Thomas’ many contributions to the Atlanta Falcons and wish him great success in his future pursuits.”
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