Falcons Coach Arthur Smith Will Also Serve As Offensive Coordinator

Arthur Smith earned the right to call plays after a successful stint as the Tennessee Titans offensive' coordinator. He has no plans to give up those duties now that he's the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Instead, Smith said at his introductory press conference Tuesday that he will handle play-calling duties, indicating that others have served as both head coach and offensive coordinator at a "high level."

Smith makes a strong case for himself. His offenses have gotten results -- which is among the many reasons he became a coaching candidate in the first place.

Last season, the Titans put up 396.4 yards per game, good enough for third in the NFL, and averaged 30.7 points. They captured the AFC South before losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs. Coach Mike Vrabel, Smith and the Titans made it all the way to the AFC championship game in 2019.

Smith takes over for Dan Quinn, who was fired Oct. 11 with former Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff after an 0-5 start. The Falcons currently own the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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Sam Amico spent 15 years covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated, FOX Sports and NBA.com, along with a few other spots, and currently runs his own basketball website on the side, FortyEightMinutes.com.