NEWS FLASH: Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has agreed to replance Arthur Smith as new falcons head coach

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons conducted a virtual interview with Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, a former University of Georgia assistant, for their head coaching vacancy on Friday. Macdonald is the first candidate to interview with the Falcons, who fired Arthur Smith on Sunday night after his third consecutive 7-10 season. The 36-year-old Macdonald took over as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator in 2022 after serving as Michigan’s defensive coordinator in 2021.

He spent seven seasons as an assistant with the Ravens before his one year with Michigan. The Ravens had the NFL’s sixth-ranked defense overall and the top-ranked defense in scoring average this season. Baltimore has a first-round playoff bye as the top seed in the AFC. Macdonald, a Georgia business school graduate, worked as a defensive assistant for the Bulldogs from 2011-13. The native of Roswell, Georgia, earned his master’s degree from Georgia in 2013. The Falcons’ list of possible candidates is believed to include Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Ravens assistant head coach Anthony Weaver. It’s not known whether the Falcons will seek to interview former New England coach Bill Belichick.

Former Falcons interim coach and Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris, the Rams’ defensive coordinator, could be on Atlanta’s list. Other possible candidates include 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Beginning on Jan. 22, teams may hold in-person interviews with coaches whose teams are no longer in the playoffs.