Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Announces New “President of Football” Role, Interviews to Begin
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank announced on Thursday that the team will be creating a new role, titled “president of football,” and that interviews for the position will begin immediately. Blank revealed that former franchise quarterback Matt Ryan, among others, will be considered for the role. The president of football will be responsible for leading the team’s football operations and will report directly to Blank.
The decision to create the new role comes after the Falcons fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday night. Blank stated that the president of football will be hired first, and that person will then lead the interviews for the head coach and general manager positions. One potential candidate for the head coach position is John Harbaugh, who was recently fired by the Baltimore Ravens. Blank praised Harbaugh’s success, saying, “John has been one of the most successful coaches in the last 20 years in our league… He has won at every level.”
Role and Responsibilities of the President of Football
The president of football will be responsible for holding the head coach and general manager accountable and providing guidance and input when necessary. Blank emphasized that the president of football will not be doing the jobs of the head coach and general manager, but rather will be overseeing their operations and ensuring that the team is working towards a common goal. The president of football will also be responsible for setting the vision for the team and leading the football operations.
Blank stated that the firm Sportsology, which was hired months ago to do an internal evaluation of the team’s football infrastructure, found a lack of clarity in the team’s vision. This lack of clarity was a major factor in the decision to create the president of football role. The president of football will be responsible for setting and leading the vision of the product on the field, and will work to ensure that the team is laser-focused on its goals.
Candidates for the President of Football Role
Matt Ryan, who has no front office experience, is considered a top candidate for the president of football role. Blank praised Ryan’s experience leading a football team, as well as his knowledge of the game and how to work with players and staff. Ryan’s EQ and IQ when it comes to football are “extraordinarily high,” according to Blank. Other candidates, including Lions COO Mike Disner, Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, and Carolina Panthers executive vice president Brandt Tillis, will also be interviewed for the role.
Blank emphasized that the decision to fire Morris and Fontenot was based solely on their performances, and that the team’s decision to sign quarterback Kirk Cousins in 2024 and draft Michael Penix Jr. six weeks later did not play a part in the decision. Blank also affirmed his commitment to Penix as the team’s franchise quarterback, despite Penix’s injury history. Penix tore his left ACL in Week 11 and will be out for at least nine months, but Blank stated that the surgeon felt “1,000 percent secure” in the medical procedure and that Penix’s knee would be “better than it was before.”
Next Steps for the Falcons
The Falcons will begin interviewing candidates for the president of football role immediately, and will then move on to interviewing candidates for the head coach and general manager positions. Blank stated that the team is committed to finding the right people for the roles and is willing to take the time necessary to make the right decisions. The team’s goal is to create a winning culture and to bring a championship to the city of Atlanta.
