Bill Belichick, who parted ways with the New England Patriots last week after coaching them to six Super Bowl triumphs over 24 seasons, interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons for their coaching vacancy.
The Falcons announced the interview Monday without providing further details. It is the first known interview for Belichick, 71, since he left the Patriots on Thursday through what he and team owner Robert Kraft called mutual agreement.
It also is the most concrete sign that Belichick intends to continue coaching. He did not say that explicitly during a news conference alongside Kraft last week in which he did not take questions. But Kraft hinted that Belichick would keep coaching, saying that he wished Belichick continued success except when he faces the Patriots.
Kraft said he would not attempt to receive draft-pick compensation from any other NFL team interested in hiring Belichick, whose contract with the Patriots reportedly was to run through next season, in what would have amounted to a trade. Belichick had earned the right to leave the organization without being encumbered in that way, Kraft said.
The Falcons are searching for a replacement for Arthur Smith, who was fired following a third straight 7-10 season. Some people within the league have expressed the belief that Falcons owner Arthur Blank will make a strong push to hire Belichick.
Belichick has 333 career coaching victories, including postseason games. That puts him 14 shy of Don Shula’s record.
Bill Belichick’s next job? Here are the potential destinations.
Belichick also could be a candidate for the Dallas Cowboys if their owner, Jerry Jones, fires Mike McCarthy following Sunday’s loss at home to the Green Bay Packers in the opening round of the NFC playoffs. McCarthy has coached the Cowboys to three straight 12-victory regular seasons but has a postseason record of 1-3 with the team. Jones called Sunday’s defeat the most painful playoff loss of his Cowboys ownership tenure. He deflected questions about McCarthy’s job status, saying that he hadn’t given any thought to coaching issues.
Mike Vrabel, a former NFL coach of the year surprisingly fired last week by the Tennessee Titans, also could be a candidate for the Cowboys if Jones dismisses McCarthy.
The Falcons are among seven NFL teams searching for new coaches along with the Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, Titans and Seattle Seahawks.
The Falcons announced the interview Monday without providing further details. It is the first known interview for Belichick, 71, since he left the Patriots on Thursday through what he and team owner Robert Kraft called mutual agreement.
It also is the most concrete sign that Belichick intends to continue coaching. He did not say that explicitly during a news conference alongside Kraft last week in which he did not take questions. But Kraft hinted that Belichick would keep coaching, saying that he wished Belichick continued success except when he faces the Patriots.
Kraft said he would not attempt to receive draft-pick compensation from any other NFL team interested in hiring Belichick, whose contract with the Patriots reportedly was to run through next season, in what would have amounted to a trade. Belichick had earned the right to leave the organization without being encumbered in that way, Kraft said.
The Falcons are searching for a replacement for Arthur Smith, who was fired following a third straight 7-10 season. Some people within the league have expressed the belief that Falcons owner Arthur Blank will make a strong push to hire Belichick.
Belichick has 333 career coaching victories, including postseason games. That puts him 14 shy of Don Shula’s record.
Bill Belichick’s next job? Here are the potential destinations.
Belichick also could be a candidate for the Dallas Cowboys if their owner, Jerry Jones, fires Mike McCarthy following Sunday’s loss at home to the Green Bay Packers in the opening round of the NFC playoffs. McCarthy has coached the Cowboys to three straight 12-victory regular seasons but has a postseason record of 1-3 with the team. Jones called Sunday’s defeat the most painful playoff loss of his Cowboys ownership tenure. He deflected questions about McCarthy’s job status, saying that he hadn’t given any thought to coaching issues.
Mike Vrabel, a former NFL coach of the year surprisingly fired last week by the Tennessee Titans, also could be a candidate for the Cowboys if Jones dismisses McCarthy.
The Falcons are among seven NFL teams searching for new coaches along with the Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, Titans and Seattle Seahawks.
