A month after LB coach quit, he returns to Atlanta as DC

By Chris Cluff  |   Thursday, January 24, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

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In one of the oddest coaching moves in recent memory, the Atlanta Falcons have brought back their former linebackers coach, who left just a month ago, and made him their defensive coordinator. Brian VanGorder resigned his position as linebackers coach last month to hire on as the defensive coordinator at South Carolina, but he is back after new coach Mike Smith offered him the gig as Atlanta's DC.

Smith also made Emmitt Thomas the assistant head coach. Thomas, who coached the team for the final three games after Bobby Petrino quit, will be working under his fourth coach in Atlanta.

Commentary: As odd as it is, there is some rhyme and reason to VanGorder's return -- he coached linebackers in Jacksonville in 2005, when Smith was the Jaguars' defensive coordinator. Still, this is VanGorder's fifth job in five seasons. He went from defensive coordinator at the University of Georgia (2001-2004) to Jacksonville linebackers coach (2005) to head coach at Georgia Southern (2006) to LB coach with the Falcons (2007) to Atlanta's DC. If the Falcons are looking for stability, they didn't seem to get it with this guy, who seems always to have his eye out for something better.

Fantasy Football Impact: Until they prove otherwise, the Falcons are a great defense against which to start your fantasy players.

Coaching 'em up year round at RealFootball365.com.
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About Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff spent 10 years as an editor and sportswriter for The Seattle Times. He was a key figure in the newspaper's coverage of the Seahawks, particularly during their Super Bowl run in 2005. He also has written two books on the Seahawks: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding, ...
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