Falcons bypass two coordinators and appoint 64 year old secondary coach..WTF??

[SouthernJet]

Longtime Falcons assistant Thomas to lead team to season's end

By Len Pasquarelli

ESPN.com

(Archive)

ATLANTA -- Longtime assistant coach and former player Emmitt Thomas, who has served as the Atlanta Falcons' secondary coach since 2002, has been named interim head coach for the final three games of the season.

It is believed that Falcons executives, who huddled for several hours Tuesday night in the wake of the resignation of coach Bobby Petrino, also considered offensive coordinator Hue Jackson and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer for the position.

Thomas, 64, has never been a head coach in the league, although he has interviewed several times for head coach vacancies.

[Maxman]

None of the 3 that you mentioned is going to be the HC next year. So this is really a non-issue.

[NY JETS 29]

I think it was a respect thing with Thomas, hes been around a long time.

[SouthernJet]

None of the 3 that you mentioned is going to be the HC next year. So this is really a non-issue.

it might be to the two coordinators who thought they were in chain of command ..

maybe a slap at job they did by blank

[Maxman]

it might be to the two coordinators who thought they were in chain of command ..

maybe a slap at job they did by blank

LOL Blank fired Jim Mora when he didn't really want to. If Blank somehow comes off as the victim in all of this that would be a shame.

They need a fresh start which they will get next year.

[JayKwaz]

Maybe that is also for the offensive and defensive coordinators to not have to worry about more things than they normally would on gameday.

[JetCane]

Maybe that is also for the offensive and defensive coordinators to not have to worry about more things than they normally would on gameday.

That's what I was thinking, too.

Plus the players sounded p1ssed off, and maybe having a former player as interim HC will be a steadying influence on them.

[124]

Thomas been around since the early '80's and its clear that DeAngelo Hall is the leader of that team. With that being said, he was Hall's position coach and Hall probably went to Blank asking for Thomas to be promoted to intern HC for the final three games. The players respect him for being a former player as well.

[SouthernJet]

Thomas been around since the early '80's and its clear that DeAngelo Hall is the leader of that team. With that being said, he was Hall's position coach and Hall probably went to Blank asking for Thomas to be promoted to intern HC for the final three games. The players respect him for being a former player as well.

well if thats the case , then Blank is setting himself up for some pissed off players if he doesnt keep Thjomas as HC

[faba]

They just wanted a caretaker for the final three games-it is not like they are doing a full fledged search right now. Maybe he shows promise and gets the job permanent-who is to say.

[afosomf]

well if thats the case , then Blank is setting himself up for some pissed off players if he doesnt keep Thjomas as HC

mike Singletary will be the falcons coach next year...bank on it!!!

[PeterNorth09]

mike Singletary will be the falcons coach next year...bank on it!!!

Singletary wouldn't weasel out like Petrino.

[upstatefan]

Singletary wouldn't weasel out like Petrino.

Good choice - but for whoever Blank picks what a thankless job that's going to be.

[Lurker]

Hue Jackson or Hugh Jackman?