Falcons Add Big-Name Coach to Defensive Coordinator Search

The Atlanta Falcons may be on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, but the franchise is already fully turned their attention to the 2023 season. The first step is finding a replacement for defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who announced his retirement after a long and accomplished career.

On Wednesday, it was revealed the Falcons are adding a big-name coach to their search.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Falcons will bring in former head coach Vic Fangio for an interview. He most recently served as a defensive consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles, a team playing in the Divisional Round as the NFC's top seed.

Fangio has plenty of experience. He worked as a head coach for the Denver Broncos from 2019-21 and has held coordinator positions dating back to 1995. This includes defensive coordinator stops with the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears.

It's easy to see that Fangio jumps to the top of the list for Atlanta's candidates. With decades worth of NFL coach experience, he'd be a great fit for a young Falcons squad looking to take the next step.

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