He was hired because he was supposedly an offensive genius. In 3 seasons as not only the Head Coach but the Offensive Coordinator as well, he went 7-10 three times, finishing with a 21-30 record.
Number of playoffs appearances: 0
Number of 30+ point games: 0
Score of his final game (with still a small chance to make the playoffs): Loss to the Saints (ugh) 49-17.
The team was not improving. It was time to move on.
I genuinely thought he'd get a slight pass this season with next year being his first true hotseat season. I've posted this before elsewhere but...
YEAR ONE
Inherits a team with zero depth at any position and thin at talent in the starters
Loses WR1, forcing WR2 to step up
So deep in cap hell the best they can do is sign 3rd stringers and warm bodies.
New WR1 gives up on the team and takes mental health leave
Still manages to go 7-10
YEAR TWO
WR1 gets suspended the entire season
Loses QB1 in the offseason and the best we can do is sign a 2nd stringer who hasn't started a full season in his entire NFL career, and played in 18 games in the previous 3 seasons across 2 teams, injury prone with nerve damage in hand
Still in cap hell, can only sign 2nd-3rd stringers
Still shows flashes
QB1 maybe kinda sorta quits on the team after being benched poor play, rookie 3rd rounder shows flashes
YEAR THREE
First year with cap room to actually sign FAs and make vet splashes
If anything, unless AS completely shits the bed this season his job is 100% safe. If he makes the playoffs year 4 is safe.
1
Smith Fired https://www.nfl.com/news/falcons-fire-arthur-smith-as-head-coach-after-three-seasons | Spyke
I can't click on the address in your title. So I'm adding it here.
https://www.nfl.com/news/falcons-fire-arthur-smith-as-head-coach-after-three-seasons
He was hired because he was supposedly an offensive genius. In 3 seasons as not only the Head Coach but the Offensive Coordinator as well, he went 7-10 three times, finishing with a 21-30 record.
Number of playoffs appearances: 0
Number of 30+ point games: 0
Score of his final game (with still a small chance to make the playoffs): Loss to the Saints (ugh) 49-17.
The team was not improving. It was time to move on.
Not to mention 3 years in a row selecting offensive skill players in the top ten of the draft. And nothing to show for it.
Zagaki.
Pitts and London rejoice
I genuinely thought he'd get a slight pass this season with next year being his first true hotseat season. I've posted this before elsewhere but...
YEAR ONE
Inherits a team with zero depth at any position and thin at talent in the starters
Loses WR1, forcing WR2 to step up
So deep in cap hell the best they can do is sign 3rd stringers and warm bodies.
New WR1 gives up on the team and takes mental health leave
Still manages to go 7-10
YEAR TWO
WR1 gets suspended the entire season
Loses QB1 in the offseason and the best we can do is sign a 2nd stringer who hasn't started a full season in his entire NFL career, and played in 18 games in the previous 3 seasons across 2 teams, injury prone with nerve damage in hand
Still in cap hell, can only sign 2nd-3rd stringers
Still shows flashes
QB1 maybe kinda sorta quits on the team after being benched poor play, rookie 3rd rounder shows flashes
YEAR THREE
If anything, unless AS completely shits the bed this season his job is 100% safe. If he makes the playoffs year 4 is safe.