Ian Rapoport links Falcons OC Zac Robinson to Oklahoma State job

As I wrote earlier this week, Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is expected to be a top candidate for the now-vacant head coaching job at Oklahoma State following the firing of Mike Gundy, and top NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed as much on Sunday.

“Robinson, who also happens to be one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Oklahoma State history, is expected to be on the very short list for the now-vacant job of Cowboys head coach, multiple sources connected to the search say,” Rapoport reported.

At this point, most Falcons fans would gladly help Robinson pack his bags and drive him to the airport if Oklahoma State comes calling. Atlanta is coming off an embarrassing offensive performance — a 30-0 shutout loss to the Panthers in which they never even reached the red zone. The Falcons rank 31st in points per game, and the eye test isn’t much kinder. Robinson’s scheme has been painfully predictable, often telegraphing whether it’s going to be a run or a pass based on formation.

This is not what the Falcons thought they were getting when they hired Robinson away from Los Angeles, where he served as the Rams’ quarterbacks coach under Sean McVay — widely regarded as one of the brightest offensive minds in football. Nearly every branch of the Shanahan-McVay coaching tree has produced successful offensive coordinators who quickly rise to NFL head-coaching gigs. The Falcons appear to have found the one exception.

Perhaps Zac Robinson will thrive at the collegiate level, but unless the Falcons offense shows drastic improvement over the rest of the season, it’s hard to see him lasting much longer in Atlanta — regardless of Oklahoma State’s decision.