ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons accelerated their search for a new coach on the first day of their offseason by interviewing Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris interviewed on Friday. The team was 4-7 under Morris, completing a 4-12 season after coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff were fired following an 0-5 start.
The Falcons closed the season just as they started, with five consecutive defeats. They set a season high for points allowed in Sunday’s 44-27 loss at Tampa Bay.
Owner Arthur Blank said Monday he will not place limitations on what moves a new general manager and coach can make. He said that includes decisions on the team’s most accomplished leaders: quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones.
“You can’t hire the very best people you can hire, whether it be general managers or coaches, and then tie their hands,” Blank said.
Blank said the Falcons’ third consecutive losing season “doesn’t represent any aspect of our goals.”
“Most would say this is a roster much better than 4-12,” Blank said. “That doesn’t mean change is not necessary. It is necessary.”
When asked his timeframe for building a winner, team president Rich McKay said, “We want to win in 2021.”
The Falcons announced they conducted a virtual interview on Monday with Bieniemy. On Monday night, the team announced it had also interviewed Saleh remotely.
Bieniemy and Saleh also are being pursued by other teams with openings.
The defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs led the NFL in total yards and yards passing and ranked second in scoring, making Bieniemy, the former NFL running back, an attractive target for teams seeking new leadership.
Morris said Sunday his interview “went well.”
“It was fair,” Morris said. “It was long. It was definitely appreciated.”
Bieniemy also has interviewed for the Detroit Lions vacancy.
ELSEWHERE, the Houston Texans have already interviewed former Detroit coach Jim Caldwell and former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, and are said to be interested in Bieniemy and Indianapolis defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, among other candidates.
