Falcons Screwing Up Another Coaching Search

I guess this isn't much of a surprise, Arthur Blank is screwing another coaching search.

Just weeks after Rich McKay was removed as the team's general manager because of his poor drafts and horrible hiring record (Jim Mora Jr. and Bobby Petrino), the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that McKay has been given a new two-year contract and a raise to go with a new title--team president.

So let's get this straight. McKay botched his old job, so he's been given a bigger title and more money, and he's also serving as Blank's main advisor in the decision of who to hire as the team's new general manager and coach. It's not hard to figure out how wrong this is in so many ways.

If Bill Parcells had accepted the Falcons offer, McKay would likely be out of a job. But since Parcells jilted the Falcons, Blank appears to have decided to kick McKay upstairs. It's hard to say what McKay has done to earn the promotion. For one, McKay's last two hires have bombed, which doesn't exactly make a great argument for him having much say in picking a third coach. But even more importantly, by announcing that McKay is team president, the Falcons likely scared off several qualified general manager candidates. If you're smart, why would you join the Falcons knowing that the old GM is now going to be above you on the flow chart to second-guess you, potentially undermine you and sap some of your power.

The Falcons are expected to hire a general manager before they hire a coach, but this news may mean the GM they hire is more likely to be a young guy looking to move up instead of a veteran candidate. That could work out, but it's a risky gambit for a team that hasn't had a whole lot of luck lately.