The Atlanta Falcons fired Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot the same day they won their final game of the 2025 regular season, and jumped immediately into the search for their successors. There are already multiple reports out there about candidates they’ve asked to interview or intend to talk to, so don’t expect this empty spot to last very long.
We’ll try to keep on top of fast-moving news about Atlanta’s head coaching, general manager, and president of football openings right here, so join us for updates.
Head coach candidates, interviews, and status
These lists and details will be updated as more information becomes available.
Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero
Status: Falcons requested interview (1/11)
This isn’t the first time Evero’s drawn interest as a head coach — he interviewed with the Panthers before they hired his now-boss Dave Canales, and he interviewed with the Falcons during the cycle in which Raheem Morris was hired. The Raiders have also requested an interview with Evero to replace Pete Carroll.
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde
Status: Interviewed (1/10)
A former Falcons assistant and position coach, Durde had followed Dan Quinn to Dallas and overseen the defensive line before he was hired to be Mike Macdonald’s right hand man on defense in Seattle. His success in Dallas and Seattle has made him a candidate in this cycle, and whether he winds up in Atlanta or not, I do expect him to be a head coach someday.
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley
Status: Falcons requested interview
The one-time Boston College head coach, current Packers defensive coordinator, and longtime defensive backs coach is lining up interviews, though it’ll have to wait until after Green Bay’s first playoff game. The Falcons likely have an eye on the fine work he’s done with the Packers defense both with and without Micah Parsons.
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh
Status: Falcons requested interview
The former Jets head coach and now-multiple time 49ers defensive coordinator has done a nice job in San Francisco in both stints, though his head coaching tenure was much more of a mixed bag. He’s definitely an excellent coach, one who has strong ties with Jeff Ulbrich and would be able to keep him around, but having just gone with hiring a second-chance defensive coordinator who didn’t have a great track record in his first time out as head coach, it seems unlikely they Falcons go that road again.
Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph
Status: Falcons requested an interview
Joseph had a rough stint with a terrible Cardinals team as a head coach, but before and after he’s been one of the most respected and effective defensive coordinators in the NFL. His top-flight Broncos defense this year led the league in sacks by a comfortable margin—yes, even over our resurgent Falcons—and he’s been around the NFL forever, with all the connections to players and coaches that implies.
Former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski
Status: First interview completed (1/11)
The ex-Browns head coach, who was fired after yet another disappointing season, is expected to speak with the Falcons about their vacancy. Despite the woeful state of the Browns, Stefanski remains a well-regarded coach who seemed ultimately to lose his spirit in the face of the overwhelming dysfunction in Cleveland. Atlanta could be a nice bounceback spot for him, and one of the better hires the team could make if they’re hellbent on making Michael Penix Jr. work.
Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver
Status: First interview completed (1/10)
The longtime defensive line coach and former Ravens assistant head coach is in his second year as Miami’s defensive coordinator, where he’s endured a tough 2025 after a stellar 2024. The uneven results in a lost season for Miami haven’t made Weaver a less desirable candidate for Atlanta, however, and the Falcons surely remember how thoroughly the Dolphins defense shut them down in an embarrassing loss earlier this season.
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak
Status: First interview completed (1/10)
Kubiak got some buzz as the offensive coordinator for the woeful Saints in 2024, especially after a fast start, but has done head-turning work with the Seattle Seahawks this year en route to a #1 seed in the NFC. The Falcons will try to figure out if the relatively young, relatively inexperienced coach is the next Kyle Shanahan, Matt LaFleur, or Sean McVay, or a terrific coordinator who isn’t ready for primetime just yet.
General manager candidates and interviews
Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham
Status: Interviewed (for president of football at the moment)
He’s still the only announced candidate for a general manager interview as I write this (Wednesday, January 7), and the odds-on favorite for the post. Some of the candidates for president of football below could also be in the mix, but Cunningham has a strong background as a scout and executive that includes stints with the Ravens and Eagles before helping Ryan Poles rebuild the Bears.
President of football: Matt Ryan
Former Falcons quarterback and CBS analyst Matt Ryan
Status: Hired
There was never much suspense. Ryan was hired on January 10 and immediately takes the reins as president o football.
San Francisco 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams
Status: Interviewed
Williams has spent the past 14 years in San Francisco in a variety of roles, including overseeing scouting, player development, and contract negotiations, experience that would serve him well in a role like this. Williams is also under consideration for the Dolphins general manager opening.
Detroit Lions chief operating officer Mike Disner
Status: Interviewed
Disner has worked as a scout (briefly), with the league office with a focus on football administration, and in his roles has overseen both football operations and strategic and revenue functions. Because the Falcons already have a CEO in Greg Beadles who has a wealth of experience in finance and revenue, Disner’s strengths don’t seem to line up with this role as well as some of the other candidates, but his experience spanning a lot of different functions and running a resurgent Lions organization is impressive stuff.
Carolina Panthers executive vice president Brandt Tillis
Status: Interviewed
Tillis is beloved by Panthers fans, who credit him with helping to clean up their cap situation in a role that has focused heavily on that work and contracts. As a cap guru for the Chiefs for a long time before his time in Carolina, Tillis would function in a similar role in Atlanta if he took this job, something the team could certainly use as they try to navigate a wave of incoming big contracts and limited dollars in 2026.
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