January 23, 2008

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Falcons have offered their head coaching job
to Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith, a person familiar with
the search said Wednesday.

The person, who requested anonymity because contract talks between the
Falcons and Smith have not been completed, said a news conference could
be set for Thursday.

Smith, the Jaguars' defensive coordinator since 2003, had his second
interview with the team Friday. He has never been an NFL head coach.

Smith first interviewed with Falcons owner Arthur Blank before the
Jaguars lost to the New England Patriots in a divisional playoff game.
His second meeting with the team was his first opportunity to meet newly
hired general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

Smith, a former defensive assistant with Baltimore, had the league's No.
12 defense with Jacksonville this season after ranking second in 2006
and sixth in 2005.

ESPN.com, citing league sources, first reported the Falcons were
expected to hire Smith.

Other candidates included Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie
Frazier and former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

The team did not wait on an interview with New York Giants defensive
coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The Falcons were denied permission to
interview Spagnuolo while the Giants, preparing for the Super Bowl, are
in the postseason.

The Falcons' offer to Smith could mean Ryan returns to Baltimore. Ravens
owner Steve Bisciotti said Ryan, who was fired with coach Brian Billick,
would be asked back on new coach John Harbaugh's staff if he didn't get
the Falcons' job.

Others who interviewed for the job but decided to stay with their
current teams were Indianapolis assistant head coach Jim Caldwell and
Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

Archived from group: alt>sports>football>pro>cleve-browns