Koetter favorite to regain OC post

FLOWERY BRANCH — Dirk Koetter is set to interview with the Falcons on Saturday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Koetter, as previously reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is considered the front-run- ner to land the open offen- sive coordinator position.

Calls to Koetter and Dar- rell Bevell, another candi- date, were not immediately returned.

Also, Mike Mularkey, a former Falcons coordinator from 2008-11, interviewed for the position, according to multiple reports.

It would be a return trip to Atlanta for Koetter, who served as Falcons offensive coordinator from 2012-14.

The Falcons fired Steve Sarkisian on Monday along with their defensive and special teams coordinators. Bevell, the former Seahawks offensive coordinator, is scheduled to interview for that job with the Falcons, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Falcons were setting up several interviews Monday, following the dismissals. They could have the coordinator named quickly, according to the person with knowledge of the search. “It should move pretty fast,” the person said.

Koetter, considered the architect of the foundation of Boise State’s football success, worked well with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in three seasons.

The Falcons reached the NFC Championship game after the 2012 season and built a 17-0 lead before the defense collapsed under the play of San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the second half.

In 2012 under Koetter, Ryan led the NFL in completion percentage at 68.9 percent. He threw for 32, 26 and 28 touchdowns with Koetter and went to two of his four Pro Bowls.

The Falcons miscalculated the talent along the offensive line and were not contenders in 2013 and 2014 before coach Mike Smith was dismissed.

Koetter and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, were under contract, but left because they knew the new coach would hire his staff.

Koetter finished his three- year stint as coach of the Buccaneers with a 19-29 record, including 5-11 this season. His tenure ended after Sunday’s 34-32 loss to the Falcons.

Bevell, who played quar- terback at Wisconsin, was offensive coordinator for the Vikings from 2006-10 and for the Seahawks from 2011-17.

He visited with the Falcons last offseason.

Bevell was the coordi- nator in Super Bowl XLIX when the Seahawks tried to pass the ball on second-andgoal from 1-yard line and had it intercepted by the Patriots’ Malcolm Butler.

Tight ends coach fired: Falcons tight ends coach Wade Harman was fired by the team, Harman con- firmed Wednesday.

Harman was the assistant offensive line coach in 2014. He was retained by coach Dan Quinn in 2015 and moved over to tight ends.

He wants to continue coaching.

“We’ll see what’s out there,” Harman s aid. “Hopefully, I’ll have some options to keep coaching.”