The Atlanta Falcons fired coach Arthur Smith on Sunday night after finishing a 7-10 season earlier in the day.
The Falcons dismissed Smith after a meeting Sunday night involving owner Arthur Blank and CEO Rich McKay.
“Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good,” Blank said in a news release. “We have profound respect for Coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the last three years. He has been part of building a good culture in our football team, but the results on the field have not met our expectations.
“After significant thought and reflection, we have determined the best way forward for our team is new leadership in the head coaching position.”
The Falcons scheduled a press conference for Monday to discuss the firing as well as their upcoming coaching search.
Smith, 41, went 21-30 in three seasons with Atlanta. The team went 7-10 in all three campaigns.
The Falcons said Blank and McKay will lead their coaching search with general manager Terry Fontenot also having input.
Atlanta was mauled 48-17 by the New Orleans Saints on Sunday to conclude the season with four losses in five games.
The Saints tacked on a rushing touchdown with 1:10 left instead of taking a knee. After the game, Smith refused to shake hands with New Orleans coach Dennis Allen and verbally expressed his disapproval with some curse words.
Atlanta will select eighth in the 2024 draft. The Falcons have a run of six consecutive losing seasons since last reaching the playoffs in 2017.
–Field Level Media