Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick immediately became the odds-on favorite in the Atlanta Falcons coaching search after Arthur Smith was fired. Just a few weeks into the process, the franchise’s search has taken a turn.
Since bringing in Belichick for a second interview, just days apart from one another, Atlanta has been casting a wider net in its search for a new head coach. Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson have all been scheduled for a second interview with the Falcons’ organization.
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There was a growing belief that Belichick would be the next Falcons head coach. Team owner Arthur Blank was believed to be enamored with the future Hall of Famer and there was even speculation regarding the Falcons coaching staff under Belichick.
With more candidates coming in to meet with Falcons’ leaders, it appears Atlanta’s coaching search has taken a turn with Belichick losing some ground.
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According to Josh Kendall of the Athletic, the likelihood of a partnership between the Falcons and Belichick has “lost momentum in the past week.” Once viewed as a “Belichick or bust mentality”, Atlanta is now casting a much wider net to replace Smith.
There are a few reasons why Belichick may be losing stream for Atlanta. During interviews, coaching candidates are asked about the staff they plan to build around them. Based on reports, Belichick might’ve wanted to bring former Patriots coordinators who have not proven themselves when given opportunities elsewhere.
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On his latest podcast, Bill Simmons said that Falcons’ front office officials are opposed to Belichick being hired but the team owner is the one pushing hardest for it to happen.
“Basically Arthur Blank wants to hire Bill Belichick, and all the front office people in Atlanta don’t want to hire Belichick because it’s like any big company — sport franchises are like microcosms of all big companies. The people that run the franchise, they just want to keep their jobs, they’re in job preservation mode.”
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There’s another factor potentially at play here, as pointed out by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Blank’s right-hand man in this process is CEO Rich McKay, who is being given far more input in the search for a new head coach than general manager Terry Fontenot.
One NFL source told Florio that Belichick and McKey have been “at odds in the past” regarding NFL rule changes. Blank hiring Belichick could also mean that McKay has less influence in the building, which could endanger him of having reduced power like Fontenot.
Fontenot has done a tremendous job rebuilding the Falcons’ roster, building this team through both the NFL Draft and free agency. However, there seems to be an internal power struggle all around him and the circumstances in Atlanta could also be what drives Belichick and potentially Jim Harbaugh away from a head-coaching vacancy that is otherwise extremely appealing.