The new era at Flowery Branch is taking shape, as the Falcons announced new hires to work with newly installed head coach Raheem Morris.
OC ✅
DC ✅
STC ✅ pic.twitter.com/XJILbxYYAx
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 30, 2024
The Falcons this afternoon, confirmed the hiring of Zac Robinson, whose selection was previously reported on January 27, by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Robinson previously worked with Morris as the offensive coordinator for the L.A. Rams. Morris will be Robinson’s boss as he takes over the position previously held by Dave Ragone. The Falcons ranked 9th in rushing yards, and 12th in third down conversons, but 22nd in receiving yards, 29th in completed pass yards among all 32 NFL teams in 2023, according to NFL.com stats.
Robinson will have three years to improve those standings, according to NFL reporter Albert Breer on the new OC’s contract length with the Falcons.
Jimmy Lake has been officially selected to replace the departing defensive coordinator Ryan Neilsen, who accepted a similar position with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lake started his coaching career at Boise State from 2012 -13. He then worked at Washington as a defensive backs coach, defensive coordinator, and head coach for the Huskies. He worked as an assistant head coach for the L.A. Rams alongside his future boss Morris under Rams head coach Sean McVay.
The Falcons rank 27th in completed pass yards and 24th in defensive rushing yards last season, according to NFL.com statistics.
This will be Lake’s third time working with Morris, as they previously worked together with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007 as a defensive backs coach, and in 2010 when he returned in that position.
The Falcons also announced they are keeping Special Teams coach Marquice Williams in place. This will be his fourth season with the Falcons, where last season, the team ranked 9th in successful field goals, 30th in punt return averages, and 31st in kickoff returns among NFL teams.
Williams’ special teams crew (including kicker Younghoe Koo and punter Bradley Pinion), created two touchdowns last season, and in last season’s Bears game, created a notable kick return by Cordarelle Patterson that went 103 yards to the endzone, setting an NFL record for kick returns.
Before joining the Falcons, he worked for the Detroit Lions, then the L.A. Chargers.
