The Atlanta Falcons’ coaching search continues as they’ve interviewed multiple candidates up to this point. Atlanta has been on the hunt for someone new at the helm since the end of the season, when they let former coach Raheem Morris go. They recently interviewed two more candidates, and here are the details about them.
Falcons Interview Jesse Minter
Terrin Waack of the official team site reported that the Falcons interviewed Jesse Minter for their head coaching role on Jan. 15th. Minter is currently the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers concluded the regular season with an 11-6 record and second in the AFC West. They followed that up with a Wild Card spot in the playoffs, but lost to the New England Patriots 16-3.
The Chargers recently fired their offensive coordinator, and there may be a shake-up; with that, Minter could move on elsewhere. The Chargers have a star-studded defense led by Minter, featuring Pro Bowl safety Derwin James, linebacker Khalil Mack, and others. They even ended the game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14 on Monday Night Football.
They forced Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts into multiple turnovers, one of which ended the game and gave them the victory. Minter has been around great players for quite some time, working for the Baltimore Ravens as a defensive assistant at one point. The Falcons have a defense full of talent that Minter could capitalize on.
Falcons Interview Jeff Hafley
The Falcons interviewed Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley on Thursday, Jan. 15th. Hafley was able to build one of the best defenses in the NFL in Green Bay, featuring edge rushers Micah Parsons and Lukas Van Ness. They wreaked havoc on opposing teams’ offenses this season.
One of their only blunders was a loss to the Chicago Bears in a Wild Card playoff game in which they led 21-3, but Parsons was out with an injury. Nonetheless, the Green Bay Defense, led by Jeff Hafley, ranked in the top 15 in Total Defense.
Hafley would have a lot of great players on the Falcons, such as rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who had 10.5 sacks this season. Hafley has the chance to maximize the potential of a defense that is riddled with playmakers.
Both coaches have extensive resumes and could be an asset to the Falcons organization.
