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Arthur Blank, alongside team president Rich McKay and general manager Thomas Dimitroff, addressed the media on Monday morning following the termination of head coach Mike Smith's contract. Blank praised Smith for all he did for the Falcons franchise, and said that it's not a matter of opinion, it's a matter of fact that Mike Smith was the most successful head coach in team history.
Blank: "Probably including my 23 years at the Home Depot, this is the most difficult decision I've ever had to make."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank: "This is not a decision that was based on one season, or even two seasons."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank says Smitty coached every minute of every game with intensity, resolve, integrity.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
"Smitty has laid a new and stronger foundation for our team since he joined us in 2008." - Arthur Blank. FWIW, I agree.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank calls Smitty family and says he always will be. Says the last thing Smith said to him was "I love you," and he said the same back.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank: "To sum it up...Smitty was the most successful coach in the history of this franchise."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank emphasized the necessity of focusing on the short term for turning this team around, but also placing an emphasis on long-term success. The search process for a new head coach will begin immediately. Dimitroff will participate in the search for a new head coach, but Blank alluded to the fact that future changes may be coming. Blank mentioned that Joe Banner will also have a role in the search. Blank was also quick to state that the team has not contacted any agents or potential candidates, which would be a violation of NFL rules regulating this process.
Blank: "Blame is for children. The results are a combination of a variety of things."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank: "Moving forward, our aspirations for this team are unchanged. We want to win championships. We need to win championships."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank's focus is taking this team to the next level. Looking for a coach who is a great leader, clear vision for success.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank: Team will begin interviews as soon as they can, within NFL's strict guidelines.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Hiring the head coach is the first move but it may not be the only move the team needs to make.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank: "Discussions we've had with Korn Ferry...internally, has been about the process. There has not been one phone call made to any coach.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank mentioned several qualities they will be looking for in a new head coach. Blank was also asked if Matt Ryan would have a say in the head coach hiring decision, and Ryan will not be involved. This is not surprising or unusual.
Blank: Team will be looking for great leader, motivational skills, decisive, flexible, somebody who believes in developing players.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Developing players remark followed by remark about putting coaches in best position to succeed. Hard to think that's not telling.— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank's focus is taking this team to the next level. Looking for a coach who is a great leader, clear vision for success.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Thomas Dimitroff said several times that he bears a lot of responsibility for the struggles of the past two seasons.
Dimitroff says he and Smitty worked closely together and he takes a great deal of responsibility for what happens w/ org.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Dimitroff: "We think we have some good football players on this team. We know that I have made some mistakes."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Dimitroff: "I am responsible as much as Smitty is for this organization and the success for this organization, and for the downfall."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Dimitroff says he knows he's made mistakes and will be scrutinized for it.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank also talked about roster evaluation.
Blank: "We're happy with a lot of them. We've got a lot of great players. Do we have enough of them? Probably not."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
To circle back, Blank has talked a lot about roster being evaluated, but is making a point to note that team has great players.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
When you're out there searching for your next coach, of course, you're going to say that.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank said that a decision about Smitty's status was not made prior to yesterday's loss.
Blank actively and aggressively distancing the org from leaks. I don't buy that for one single second. Sorry.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank says that if the team had won yesterday, there would not have been a press conference today.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank also said that he had not made a decision on what Smitty's eventual status with the team would have been had the team won yesterday.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
In terms of the current assistants, the new head coach will be involved in those employment decisions.
On assistants, right now Smitty's going to address his coaches today, and Dimitroff will then discuss contract situation with them.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Philosophy and style of new head coach will dictate status of assistants for the coming season and they will be involved in decisions.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank was asked if Matt Ryan would have a say in the head coach hiring decision, and Ryan will not be involved. This is not surprising or unusual.
Matt Ryan will not be a factor in the head coach hiring decision. Blank says to not take that as a criticism of Ryan.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Frankly, what QB is involved in a coaching search process?
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank also mentioned some of the more obvious reasons for the team's struggles in 2013 and 2014, though he said that the root cause of those issues, whether personnel or scheme, was open to debate.
In Blank's opinion, lack of pressure on opposing QBs is a very big deal, and he says that's a big factor. Says reason for that is debatable.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank also mentioned defensive consistency, or lack thereof, as an issue.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank: "I obviously do think we have a lot of talent...clearly we have not had the kind of pass rush for a number of years that is important
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank really spending time discussing need for pressure. Mandate for FO is pretty damn clear.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank had a lot to say about the ideal head coach candidate.
Blank talking about not wanting someone at head coach who wouldn't represent the franchise well on and off the field. Goes throughout org.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank outlining his basic qualities for a new head coach again. Nothing you wouldn't expect. "Adaptive" is a big one.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank calls the quality of being a "players' coach" important.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Several times, Blank has mentioned "vision" for future of this team as a key element that they'll be looking for.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
And Blank emphasized that they will scrutinize all levels of football operations to see where and how they can improve. Blank reiterated his affection for Mike Smith, but also his confidence that this was the right decision for the future of the organization. McKay also discussed the foundation Smitty gave the team to build upon for the future.
Everything in terms of football operations outside of coaching is open to scrutiny, per Blank.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Drinking whiskey every time Arthur Blank says "Thomas Dimitroff is our general manager." I'm blind.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank said team has to evaluate itself, decide if what team has can take you to next level. If not, have to have "courage" to make changes.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
McKay talking about 2008, says it was a very tough spot. "I don't know if you can give Mike Smith and Thomas enough credit..."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
"...not just from stabilizing the franchise," but also building. Says next move will be to build on that foundation. Team has tools, he says
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank reiterates his love for Smitty and Smith's reciprocation of that love, and that it was a very difficult decision.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
But Blank feels it was the right move to make.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank, while acknowledging his up and down season, expressed confidence in Matt Ryan, and also said that this is a critical time in terms of Matt Ryan's career. McKay also had praise for Ryan.
Blank: "When you talk to head coaches...they always start with, if you have a QB, you have a chance. And we have a great QB."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
McKay threw out elite quarterback to describe Matt Ryan, said team has a lot of players that will excite coaches.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank says it is a critical time. Says @archerqb16 would tell you it's a critical time. Says five, six, seven years critical for Matt.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank had quite a bit to say about the coaching search, including consultant Joe Banner's involvement in it.
Blank now talking about Joe Banner's experience. Be interesting to see if he's a full-time hire. Korn Ferry does one club per year, us in 14
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Primarily staff in building will be involved in decision on new head coach. Mentions Joe Banner by name as having a role.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank: Team not going to share candidates they're interviewing, not going to lay out timetable for media/public.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank: "Whoever our next coach is, I would expect to carefully assess our coaching staff."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
At the end of the day, head coach decision is Blank's to make.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
Blank: "I'll be involved in the search...I'm a very good listener."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank: "We'll be submitting some requests later today...who will be on that list, we'll see."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank: "We will structure the football operations around what we think the head coach's abilities are." And strengths.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank did quote Godfather II.
Blank just mentioned Godfather 2, quoting "this is the business we've chosen to be in." This is getting a little surreal.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
It's also worth mentioning that Blank also referenced last week's dominant victory over New Orleans and had some not-so-kind words about Bobby Petrino. Never change, Mr. Blank.
Blank taking aim at leaks, notes that leak came last week before "we beat the crap out of the Saints," doesn't think it was distraction.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank now crapping on Bobby Petrino. Always welcome. Comparing him to Smitty and Smitty's integrity.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 29, 2014
Blank talking about Petrino and he's still bitter. SO AM I.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) December 29, 2014
What are your thoughts on Smitty's departure, the retention of Dimitroff and the direction of the team?