Report: Todd Bowles to have second interview with Atlanta Falcons Wednesday
After Rex Ryan agreed to become the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, Todd Bowles jumped to the forefront of the Atlanta Falcons head coaching search. According to D. Orlando Ledbetter, Bowles is set to have a second interview with the Falcons on Wednesday.
Bowles apparently has ties to the current Falcons front office after working with Bill Parcells in Dallas and Miami:
"Bowles is believed to have a major supporter in the Falcons hierarchy in assistant general manager Scott Pioli, who’s father-in-law is Bill Parcells. Bowles worked for Parcells in Dallas and Miami.He is one of the hottest candidates out on the NFL head-coaching circuit right now. He’s considered a contender in Chicago and San Francisco."
In addition to the Bears and the 49ers, the Jets are looking to interview Bowles for the second time as well:
Jets and Falcons each planning to bring back Cardinals DC Todd Bowles for second HC interview, per sources; trying to finalize schedule now.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2015
Aside from Ryan, Bowles is likely one of the bigger-name defensive coaches who are head coaching candidates for next season. This year, Bowles led the Cardinals defense to the fifth-best unit in the league when it comes to allowing opponents to score (18.7 points per game), despite being one of the league’s worst passing defenses.
The Cardinals gave up 295.5 passing yards per game this season, which was good for 29th in the league. The unit finished as the No. 13 rushing defense, allowing 108.7 yards per game. At the start of the season though, before the team was decimated with injuries, the Cardinals were regarded as one of the elite D’s in the league–and for a few weeks they were even seen as the best.
Obviously Arizona has more talented defensive personnel than Atlanta, but having a defensive mind like Bowles as the head coach would be an encouraging step in transforming one of the NFL’s worst defensive teams.