Falcons announce slew of coaching staff moves

The Atlanta Falcons’ coaching staff is beginning to take shape as the search for their next general manager gets underway Thursday.

At defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich has been retained, something most fans were hoping for despite the firing of Raheem Morris. Ulbrich worked wonders with Atlanta’s defense, turning it into a formidable unit after being one of the league’s worst in 2024. Most notably — and the reason there’s so much excitement about his return — was his impact on the pass rush. The Falcons finished second-to-last in sacks in 2024. In 2025, they shattered the franchise record with 57 sacks, the second-most in the NFL.

On Wednesday, Tommy Rees was officially named the team’s next offensive coordinator, replacing Zac Robinson, who is headed to Tampa Bay. Rees doesn’t have the résumé that immediately wows you, but he worked closely with Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland, and it’s clear this is Stefanski’s guy. If things go south offensively, Stefanski will rightfully shoulder the blame.

Staying on the offensive side of the ball, the legendary Bill Callahan will take over as offensive line coach, replacing Dwayne Ledford. Ledford was one of the few holdovers from Arthur Smith’s staff and did outstanding work with the offensive line during his tenure. That’s not an easy act to follow, but Callahan brings nearly 50 years of coaching experience, including 30 in the NFL. The Falcons should feel very good about how this hire came together.

Assistant offensive line coach Nick Jones will also be retained to work alongside Callahan. Michael Pitre is returning as running backs coach, while Dave Huxtable remains on the defensive staff as a defensive assistant. Jacqueline Roberts is also following Stefanski from Cleveland and will take over as the Falcons’ manager of coaching operations.

There are still several vacancies to fill, two of which Falcons fans should be monitoring closely. Special teams was a disaster last season and played a major role in Raheem Morris losing his job. That hire may not grab headlines, but it could be the difference between the Falcons making the postseason or staying home again.

The other key situation to watch is defensive line coach Nate Ollie. While Ulbrich will receive much of the credit for Atlanta’s pass-rush success, Ollie’s work cannot be overlooked. He played a significant role in the development of James Pearce Jr., Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, Zach Harrison, and Jalon Walker. Losing him would be a massive blow, but it’s also possible he earns a promotion elsewhere. Based on his work with the Colts, Texans, and now the Falcons, he would certainly deserve it.