The Atlanta Falcons have chosen to part ways with head coach <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/coach/arthur-smith-133547/">Arthur Smith</a> after three seasons. Following the team’s 48-17 loss on Sunday, the Falcons fired Smith. The Falcons finished the year with a 7-10 record for the third consecutive season.



Atlanta started Smith’s third season off with wins against the Panthers and Packers, but dropped the next two against the Lions and Jaguars. The team found little consistency and flip-flopped between quarterbacks <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/desmond-ridder-35612/">Desmond Ridder</a> and <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/taylor-heinicke-110793/">Taylor Heinicke</a>. After losing three consecutive games against the Titans, Vikings and Cardinals in the middle of the season, they ended the year with three wins and four losses.



Falcons owner Arthur Blank confirmed the team will retain general manager Terry Fontenot, who will provide input in the search for the next coach. The search will be led by Blank and team CEO Rich McKay. 



<a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1744224018528346394?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blank also issued a statement</a> shortly after the news broke, saying, “Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good. We have profound respect for Coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the last three years.



“He has been part of building a good culture in our football team, but the results on the field have not met our expectations. After significant thought and reflection, we have determined the best way forward for our team is new leadership in the head coaching position.”



The Falcons drafted former Texas star <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/bijan-robinson-10359/">Bijan Robinson</a> in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He ran for 948 yards with just four rushing touchdowns this season. He also added 51 catches, 384 receiving yards and three more touchdowns. He <a href="https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1744064379761328432" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scored</a> one of his touchdowns in Week 18, posting a seven catch game with 103 yards.



<h2 id="h-arthur-smith-confronts-dennis-allen-after-late-game-td">Arthur Smith confronts Dennis Allen after late-game TD</h2>



The New Orleans Saints blew out the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon. They also decided to tack on a late touchdown in the closing seconds and apparently that made Arthur Smith <a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/news/falcons-hc-arthur-smith-confronts-dennis-allen-after-saints-run-up-score-with-late-touchdown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">absolutely furious</a>. He went ballistic on Saints head coach Dennis Allen in the postgame handshake.



After the game, Smith spoke with the media, “It got out of hand. You can do whatever you want. I just gave them my opinion about it.”



Saints head coach Dennis Allen also apologized in his press conference. “I’m gonna start by apologizing to Arthur Smith and the Falcons.” 



He also said they should have taken a knee, but guys wanted to get <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jamaal-williams-54778/">Jamaal Williams</a> a TD and that it was “unacceptable.” “That’s not who we are, not what we’re about,” Allen said.

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Atlanta Falcons fire head coach Arthur Smith after three seasons

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