Atlanta Falcons Unsurprisingly Fire Mike Smith
By Michael Terrill
@MichaelTerrill
Getty Images
The Atlanta Falcons believed there was a possibility for a special season in 2014. Unfortunately, head coach Mike Smith was unable to inspire his team when it mattered most, which is why the Falcons will be looking for a new leader for 2015 and beyond.
Despite having a below-.500 record entering Week 17, Atlanta still had an opportunity to win the NFC South and clinch the No. 4 seed in the conference for the playoffs. Many pegged them to emerge victorious after they knocked the New Orleans Saints out of postseason contention the week before. Not to mention, they also were facing the Carolina Panthers at home. But, an embarrassing performance with so much on the line forced owner Arthur Blank to make the difficult decision to fire Smith.
The reason it was a difficult decision was because Smith brought a new respect to the Falcons franchise. The team grew very successful under his command, which includes a NFC Championship berth in 2012. He also is the most winningest coach in Atlanta’s 49-year history with a 66-46 record. But, the inability to win the big games in the postseason (1-4 playoff record) and reach the Super Bowl despite all of the regular season success is one of the main reasons Blank has decided to go in a new direction.
It all went downhill after the Falcons lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2012 NFC Championship Game. A contest they should have won turned out to be the beginning of the end of the Smith Era. It is most certainly a sad day for the Falcons because it will likely take them some time to reach the top of the NFC South once again.
Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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