Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank says head coach Mike Smith not in danger of losing job – NFL News
Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith has made a good impression in the league during his time with the team, but has recently been criticised for not winning in playoffs.
Moreover, there are rumours that Smith is feeling the heat and could be fired, but according to the Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Smith is not under any kind of pressure about his job security.
In an interview with Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday, September 07, 2012, Blank made it clear that Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff have their job secured. Blank said:
“He’s not on any hot seat. Coach Smith, he and Thomas, I particularly feel really blessed – and I don’t use that word every day, all day long – I feel blessed having them both in place.”
Under the supervision of Smith and Dimitroff, Falcons have reached new horizons. Falcons have enjoyed one of the most successful periods in their history since the arrival of both these personalities. Blank went on to say:
"The last four years to have the record that we've established after 42 years of not having back-to-back winning seasons, to have four of them back-to-back-to-back-to-back winning seasons and be in the playoffs three of four years... I have a high degree
of confidence in the partnership and the consistency of the team and the sustainability of the team we have."
Smith has headed Falcons for four seasons in which the team has a 43-21 record. It is a great achievement for a franchise that has never produced winning record in back-to-back seasons.
Smith has been named The NFL Coach of the Year twice in four seasons, while Dimitroff has also won the Manager of the Year award two times during the same period.
Only last year, Smith signed a three-year contract extension, making it almost certain that he would not be leaving Falcons anytime soon.
However, a critical situation may arise if Smith does not manage to take his team a step further in the postseason again.
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