The Atlanta Falcons have taken a significant step in shaping their future by officially naming Tommy Rees as their offensive coordinator. This decision, announced on a recent Thursday, signifies a new direction for the team's offensive strategy. Complementing this key hire, the Falcons have also opted to retain three vital members of their existing coaching team, ensuring a degree of continuity amidst the changes. This comprehensive approach reflects the organization's commitment to building a robust and cohesive coaching staff capable of steering the team toward success.
Atlanta Falcons Announce Key Coaching Appointments and Retentions
In a series of pivotal announcements that began last Saturday, January 18, 2026, the Atlanta Falcons have confirmed the appointment of Tommy Rees as their new offensive coordinator. This move follows the earlier hiring of Kevin Stefanski as the new head coach, replacing Raheem Morris. On Monday, January 20, 2026, the team announced the retention of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, and on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, veteran offensive line coach Bill Callahan was brought on board. The latest news on Thursday, January 22, 2026, solidified Rees's position and also confirmed that Senior Defensive Assistant Dave Huxtable, Assistant Offensive Line Coach Nick Jones, and Running Backs Coach Michael Pitre will all continue their roles under Stefanski's leadership. Rees, 33, joins the Falcons after serving the 2025 season as the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator, a role he took over from tight ends coach and passing game specialist in 2024. During his tenure with the Browns, Stefanski had delegated play-calling responsibilities to Rees following a challenging 2-6 start to the season. The Browns' offensive statistics in 2025 indicated a struggle, ranking 31st in points per game (16.4), 30th in total yards (262.1), 27th in rushing yards (97.0), and 31st in passing yards (140.3). Prior to his time with the Browns, Rees was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame from 2020 to 2022, and held the same positions at Alabama in 2023. He played quarterback for Notre Dame from 2010 to 2013, completing 59.8% of his passes for 7,670 yards, 61 touchdowns, and 37 interceptions across 47 games. Rees steps into the role previously held by Zac Robinson, who has since moved on to become the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In another key addition to the team's operational structure, the Falcons have also welcomed Jacqueline Roberts as their new manager of coaching operations; she previously spent two seasons with the Browns.
The strategic restructuring of the Atlanta Falcons' coaching staff, spearheaded by the appointment of Tommy Rees as offensive coordinator and the retention of key personnel, underscores a clear commitment to forging a winning culture. This move reflects a broader trend in professional sports where organizations meticulously assemble diverse and experienced coaching teams to maximize player potential and on-field performance. The decision to bring in a relatively young coordinator like Rees, who has experience in both college and professional football, suggests a progressive outlook and a willingness to embrace new offensive philosophies. Furthermore, maintaining continuity with existing staff members like Huxtable, Jones, and Pitre provides a stable foundation, blending fresh perspectives with established team knowledge. This blend of new vision and experienced hands could be instrumental in navigating the competitive landscape of the league, ultimately offering a renewed sense of hope and direction for the Falcons' upcoming seasons.