Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank addresses front office shakeup

by Tim Darnell

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank answered several questions Thursday as the 83-year-old business and philanthropic titan held a news conference following a huge shakeup in the Falcons’ front office.

Early Sunday evening, Blank announced the firing of both Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris from their positions of general manager and head coach, respectively.

Fontenot and Morris were fired only hours after the Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints, finishing with a second consecutive record of 8-9.

Blank said Thursday he felt the two were not “providing the leadership at the (current) level to get us to the next level.”

“It was a very thoughtful, balanced decision that took time to reach, but I think (it) was the right decision for us,” Blank said.

ANF's Baillie Burmaster ask Falcons' owner Arthur Blank what will be different during this round of coach selection.

Less than 24 hours after the decision on Morris and Fontenot, Blank announced Rich McKay was replaced as president and CEO of the team by team president Greg Beadles. McKay is expected to take a larger role across the Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment organization, where he has served for four years.

In Monday’s statement, Blank also announced the addition of a new president of football position for the franchise. He said the person in the position “will set the vision and identity” for the team, as the new head coach and general manager will report to them.

Blank confirmed former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is among the candidates for the position.

“We’re going to hire the president of football first,” Blank said Thursday.

The president of football will play a pivotal role in the hiring process for the 60-year-old NFL franchise’s general manager and head coach positions.

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Only five of the Falcons’ 18 head coaches have finished with winning records: Leeman Bennett, Wade Phillips, Jim Mora, Mike Smith and Dan Quinn. Bennett was fired by the Falcons’ original owner, the late Rankin Smith, while the other four were all relieved of their duties by Blank.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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