As expected, Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is completely cleaning house following a disastrous 2018 season for the team.
It was previously noted that offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel were on the outs. The team made those two moves official on Monday, firing special teams coach Keith Armstrong in the process.
“Today the Falcons announced that they are parting ways with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel and special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong,” the team announced, via its official website.
Hired to replace now-49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan as their offensive coordinator back in 2017, Sarkisian never worked out in Atlanta. The Falcons did rank in the top 10 in scoring this past regular season, but that represented a decrease of nearly 10 points per game from Shanahan’s final season as the team’s offensive coordinator back in 2016.
Sark just never worked well with former NFL MVP Matt Ryan. Add in red-zone issues throughout his brief tenure, and it was inevitable that the Falcons were going to move on from him.
Manuel took over as the Falcons’ defensive coordinator in 2017, replacing Richard Smith in that role. Atlanta finished 28th in total defense and 25th in points allowed this season after ranking in the top 10 in both categories during Manuel’s first season with the team.