Getty Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff of the Atlanta Falcons.
Well, it’s official. After an atrocious 0-5 start to the season, the Atlanta Falcons have fired head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
ESPN’s Vaughn McClure confirmed the news just a few hours after several accusations spread.
Falcons officially announce Dan Quinn, Thomas Dimitroff have been fired.
The Falcons haven’t had an 0-5 start since 1997.
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It’s Surprising, Yet Not Surprising
If you’re an Atlanta fan, you probably didn’t think Arthur Blank would actually do it so it was a bit surprising to actually see and hear, but it also wasn’t surprising at all.
Falcons fans definitely saw this coming even after just Week 4 in an embarrassing loss to the Packers on Monday Night Football.
Dan Quinn needed to turn the team around by Week 4 but failed to. Still, Blank gave him another chance against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
I am by no means making no excuses for them, but the Falcons played without star receiver Julio Jones and star defender Grady Jarrett against Carolina. Atlanta’s so-called “revamped” defense was also nowhere to be found today as injuries took over.
The Falcons defense gave up a total of 312 yards and allowed Teddy Bridgewater to complete 74% of his passes. On a day the Falcons needed to pressure the most and at least look like they were trying to save Quinn’s job, they didn’t.
Arthur Blank’s Statement
At first, Blank didn’t have words but then he released his statement via NFL.com:
“Decisions like these are very difficult, but the previous two seasons and start to this one have been especially hard for me because of the deep love, admiration and respect I and my family have for Dan, Thomas and their families,” Blank said in the statement. “For many years, they have represented me, our team, organization and Atlanta with class, commitment and all the passion you would want in the leaders of the team. But as everyone knows, this is a results business and I owe it to our fans to put the best product we can on the field. We have poured every resource possible into winning and will continue to do so, but the results of late do not meet our standard or what I’ve promised our fans. Therefore, we will install new coaching and personnel leadership of the Atlanta Falcons at the appropriate time.
“Our finish in 2019 earned an opportunity to show that momentum could be continued and built upon, but that has clearly not happened. And overall, the last three-plus seasons have fallen short of my commitment to Atlanta and to our fans everywhere. I want them all to know that my commitment to winning has not wavered and I will continue to provide every resource possible to that end.”