Atlanta Falcons DC Brian VanGorder resigns to take on coaching role at Auburn College - NFL News
With the season over for Atlanta Falcons, following a humiliating 24-2 defeat to New York Giants in the Wildcard round of the playoffs, the franchise announced a shuffle in its coaching ranks.
Coach Mike Smith, in a press conference on Monday, announced the resignation of defensive coordinator, Brian VanGorder from his duties to take up the same role at Auburn University's football team.
VanGorder arrived at Falcons from Georgia University when Smith took on the head coaching role of the franchise in 2008.
The defensive coordinator played a crucial role in Falcons' run to the playoffs round this year taking the Falcons defence to sixth overall in the National Football League (NFL) rankings in stopping rushing plays as the defence gave up a measly 97 yards
per game.
However, Falcons were poorer at stopping air plays from opponents giving up 236.6 yards on average to the opposition to rank 20th overall.
Coach Mike Smith took the opportunity to thank VanGorder for his work with the Falcons and wished him the best in his future endeavours.
Smith said:
“Brian has been an integral part of our success here over the last four years. I want to thank Brian and his family for all that they’ve done for our organization. I want to personally thank Brian for all of his hard work and all the work that he’s done
to make us successful here in Atlanta.”
The defensive coordinator himself was ecstatic with his new job coaching defence at Auburn College and termed it a great career opportunity.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me and my family at this point in my career, both professionally and personally, to become the defensive coordinator at Auburn. I’m very appreciative to the Atlanta Falcons and Coach Mike Smith."
Falcons had a mixed 2011-12 season as they relinquished their National Football Conference South Champions to fierce rivals, New Orleans Saints.
However, the team qualified for the playoffs' wild card round after going 10-6 in the regular season and setting up a game against New York Giants.
Like two years before the Falcons failed to progress further into the postseason beyond their first game.
The team put in a shockingly poor performance as the NFC East Champions claimed a spot for the divisional round and set up a dream fixture with the Green Bay Packers.
The Falcons have as yet not announced any replacement for VanGorder although the name of ex-Jacksonville Jaguars' coach, Jack Del Rio has been thrown around as the favourite for the role.
Smith when asked about the potential replacements said that no decision has been made yet and the new Coach will be chosen after deliberations and undergoing a set process.
Tags: