Falcons Get It Right Hiring Mike Nolan To Coach Defense

[theProf]

Falcons get it right hiring Mike Nolan to coach defense

3:38 pm January 17, 2012, by Jeff Schultz

If Dirk Koetter was the Falcons’ offseason hire that raised eyebrows, Mike Nolan is the one that should allay fears.

The Falcons hired Nolan as their defensive coordinator on Tuesday. Rest easy. Nolan, whose Miami Dolphins allowed the sixth fewest points in the NFL this season, has been viewed as one of the game’s premier defensive coordinators, going back to when then-New York Giants coach Dan Reeves hired him in 1993 at the age of only 34.

If Nolan can’t fix some of the team’s problems, it will be because of the team’s personnel issues, not because of a poor scheme or a lack of direction.

Nolan is known for having strong third-down defenses — Miami ranked seventh this season at 34 percent, the Falcons only 29th at 44 percent — and for creativity in terms of how he uses players on the defensive line.

This season as Miami’s coordinator, the Dolphins’ finished 15th in total defense but sixth overall in points allowed (19.6 per game). In 2010, Nolan’s first season in Miami, the Dolphins ranked in the top 10 in overall, pass and run defense for only the eighth time in franchise history.

Steve Spagnuolo, the recent St. Louis Rams head coach and former New York Giants defensive coordinator, was probably the only hire that the Falcons could have made that would’ve been perceived as more of a grand slam. But Spagnuolo is weighing several offers and is known to be deliberate in his decision-making process. It would be understandable if the Falcons just wanted to put the matter to rest, rather than risk not getting either Nolan or Spagnuolo.

The Falcons needed a new result in the postseason. That meant they needed a new plan. Short of changing the head coach or the quarterback, they’ve changed as much as you could realistically expect. Gone are the offensive coordinator (Mike Mularkey), the defensive coordinator (Brian VanGorder), the quarterbacks coach (Bob Bratkowski) and the offensive line coach (Paul Boudreau, who was fired Tuesday).

Nolan’s first head coaching job with San Francisco did not go well (18-37). But he has never struggled to get a job on the defensive side of the ball. He has worked in in Denver, New York, Washington and Baltimore, where he overlapped with Falcons coach Mike Smith.

This decision, there’s no reason to question: The Falcons got it right.

By Jeff Schultz

[theProf]

Rolling with Nolan

By: Jay Adams | January 17th, 2012

The Atlanta Falcons today announced that Mike Nolan has been hired as the team’s defensive coordinator. Nolan is one of the most experienced defensive coordinators in the NFL, having served in that capacity for over 14 seasons.

“Mike Nolan is an established coordinator in this league,” said Falcons head coach Mike Smith. “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. In 2011, 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 League 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.

[vel]

The best hire since hiring TD in 08. Nolan is going to work wonders and I figured he would be the hire due to the FO liking stability. Spags will be gone in 2-3 years as opposed to Nolan who will stay longer due to his love for coordinating and being hands on with the players. I am very happy we finally have a heavyweight coordinator for this team. Every SB teams has that heavyweight coordinator and we have that. Now, time to bust heads. Nolan is going to bring that attitude to the team that we have missed. DeCoud won't be dancing unless he has made a play, if he is even resigned.

I can't wait to see this team roll out. The best part is the Saints have no clue how to gameplan us now because not only are they both brand new coordinators, they both are creative and ADJUST, change things for the game coming. I will take a 24-2 beatdown if this is what I get in return.

Ok maybe not but...

[theProf]

Falcons hire Mike Nolan as new defensive coordinator

3:12 pm January 17, 2012, by D. Orlando Ledbetter

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.”

[*TMo*]

Nice thread, really nice thread. Thanx guys! I enjoy these types of threads so much more than people squabbling about something they really know very little about.

Now....here I am doin' it.

Edited January 18, 2012 by *TMo*

[theProf]

The best hire since hiring TD in 08. Nolan is going to work wonders and I figured he would be the hire due to the FO liking stability. Spags will be gone in 2-3 years as opposed to Nolan who will stay longer due to his love for coordinating and being hands on with the players. I am very happy we finally have a heavyweight coordinator for this team. Every SB teams has that heavyweight coordinator and we have that. Now, time to bust heads. Nolan is going to bring that attitude to the team that we have missed. DeCoud won't be dancing unless he has made a play, if he is even resigned.

I can't wait to see this team roll out. The best part is the Saints have no clue how to gameplan us now because not only are they both brand new coordinators, they both are creative and ADJUST, change things for the game coming. I will take a 24-2 beatdown if this is what I get in return.

Ok maybe not but...

The beatdown last season by the Packers caused an attempt by the Falcons to get more explosive players: Julio on offense and Edwards on defense, although Edwards was not as explosive as initially thought to be. On paper, Atlanta appeared to be much improved, but in actuality they were not. The beatdown by the Giants has caused the Falcons to significantly redo its coaching staff, ie perhaps the real problem behind Atlanta's lack of improvement was due to the coaches and not the players. Time will tell.

[BCEagleATLFalcon]

Extremely excited about this hire.

Our defense even without Grimes really showed me something in the play-off game. We were looking strong against an excellent QB for a good portion of the game imho, until our offense kept the D on the field so long that they could no longer sustain it.

Combine our talent with a universally respected and creative NFL defensive mind?

Looking forward to 2012.

[mrlucky]

The beatdown last season by the Packers caused an attempt by the Falcons to get more explosive players: Julio on offense and Edwards on defense, although Edwards was not as explosive as initially thought to be. On paper, Atlanta appeared to be much improved, but in actuality they were not. The beatdown by the Giants has caused the Falcons to significantly redo its coaching staff, ie perhaps the real problem behind Atlanta's lack of improvement was due to the coaches and not the players. Time will tell.

The breakdown was absolutely Coaching our offensive coordinator couldn't utilize the tools he was given and now we have a new one ...for better or worse !

[DirtyBirdDynasty]

Nolan's going to tell blank he needs some pieces to work with and we'll likely see atleast a big NT and a impact DE/OLB, possibly even an upgrade at FS too

[DirtyBirdDynasty]

The breakdown was absolutely Coaching our offensive coordinator couldn't utilize the tools he was given and now we have a new one ...for better or worse !

The playoff game exposed our terrible OL, exactly as I repeatedly said before the game. Our OL was ok against bad DLs but got worked by good DLs. They couldnt protect Ryan or open any lanes in the run game, they couldnt even block a QB sneak on 2 tries, thats the worst OL performance Ive ever heard of. The offense didnt score a point with Pro Bowlers at every skill position.

The defense showed up in that game they were excellent at the beginning, the offense couldnt sustain any drives and the defense got worn down from being on the field continuously. Upgrading the OL and being able to sustain drives will help that obviously.I expect Nolan to bring in a big NT to stuff the run keep the LBs clean keep our smaller DTs fresh and set up 3rd and long situations

[theProf]

Nolan's going to tell blank he needs some pieces to work with and we'll likely see atleast a big NT and a impact DE/OLB, possibly even an upgrade at FS too

I agree that those three positional upgrades would significantly help our defense and give it added versatily to play 3-4 as well as 4-3 fronts. However, Atlanta also needs at least two upgraded positions on the OL, as well as resigning at least 7 or 8 of our core players who are free agents this year. I just don't know how Atlanta is going to accomplish all of this in one season, given that we are down two important draft picks (a first round and a fourth round) and will probably experience salary cap problems due to just resigning our own FAs, much less outside FAs.

[blackredfellow]

Nolan is known for having strong third-down defenses

Wow. I think I might have an aneurysm if our D starts getting off the field on third down. The area I hated the most with BVG was third and long. We play our DBs 10 yards off, and the middle of the field looks like a ghost town. Anyone could run to the middle and catch a ball. The other thing about both of our coordinators was they had no clue how to adjust in-game, so if our new guys can do that, I will be thrilled.

Bring the hurt, Nolan. BRING THE HURT!!

[JRid]

Has anybody heard when the press conference will be? Will they introduce both guys in one press conference? I assume they will, but it might be a bit awkward. "Mike Nolan is one of the most intelligent and experienced DC's in the league" "and here is Dirk Koetter. He was the Jags OC and they finished 32nd last season. Any questions"

I'm not dogging Koetter because I feel pretty good about the hire, but when you hire Mike Nolan you want to make sure people know how amazing he is and it will be a bit tricky trying to equal out the praises at the conference.

[theProf]

Around the NFC South

January, 18, 2012

9:51 AM ET

By Pat Yasinskas

Time for a look at the Wednesday morning headlines from around the NFC South.

Jeff Schultz writes that the Falcons got it right when they hired Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator. I agree totally. Steve Spagnuolo was the other big-name coordinator candidate out there and he’ll end up doing a fine job somewhere else (maybe even New Orleans). But I think Nolan is a better fit for the Falcons.

Spagnuolo reportedly will interview with New Orleans today. Just like I think Nolan is the better fit for the Falcons, I think Spagnuolo would be an excellent fit in New Orleans. The Falcons and Saints are two very different organizations. I think Nolan’s personality will allow him to fit in perfectly with the Falcons. Spagnuolo has a different style that could fit nicely with the Saints.