rhourk Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 From ajc.com: Falcons tab Jags' Smith to be head coachAtlanta, defensive coordinator in contract negotiationsBy STEVE WYCHE, D. ORLANDO LEDBETTERThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 01/23/08Mike Smith has been offered the Falcons' head coach job and the team is currently in contract negotiations with the Jacksonville defensive coordinator, according to team officials familiar with the process.Speaking to the AJC at the Senior Bowl in Mobile on Tuesday, new general manager Thomas Dimitroff said the field of candidates for the vacant position was down to four Smith, Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Minnesota defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.Mike SmithDimitroff was still in Mobile Wednesday morning and it was not known the exact timetable for an official announcement on the hiring of Smith.News of the Falcons' decision drew positive reaction Wednesday morning at the Senior Bowl."Yeah, I just got off the phone with him," Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio said. "Mike is a very detailed guy. He's got a lot of passion for the game. I've been together with Mike for the last five years in Jacksonville."Del Rio believes that Smith is ready to take on his first NFL head coaching job."Nobody works harder," Del Rio said. "He's got a great mind for football. He's prepared for this opportunity and I think he'll do a nice job with it."Del Rio was not sure what assistants that Smith might want to bring with him to Atlanta from the Jacksonville staff."We'll work through that," Del Rio said.Del Rio guided the Jaguars to the AFC divisional round of the playoffs this season."We worked hard to put together a strong staff," Del Rio said. "We'll just continue to do all that we can to win. Obviously I wish Mike the very best with this opportunity that he's getting."Joe DeCamillis, a former Falcons assistant and Jacksonville's special teams coordinator, said he would not join Smith's staff in Atlanta. Mike Tice, Jacksonville's assistant head coach/tight ends and former head coach with Minnesota, also does not plan to come to Atlanta.When asked if he would be joining the staff in Atlanta, Tice said, "We've got a pretty good thing in Jacksonville." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ancient raptor Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Been on AJC site for at least 30 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shiney_McShine Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 ancient raptor (1/23/2008)Been on AJC site for at least 30 minutes.Plus I think it was already posted......There is no special prize for being the first to post a breaking news story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhourk Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 Thankx for chiming in, very helpful. As I have a job, I couldn't sit there all day hitting refresh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhourk Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share Posted January 23, 2008 Did I ask for a prize? Just trying to be helpful, go find a bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shiney_McShine Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 rhourk (1/23/2008)Did I ask for a prize? Just trying to be helpful, go find a bridge.OK....Now what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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