NFL Atlanta Falcons

5 Candidates To Replace Mike Smith As Atlanta Falcons’ Head Coach

5 Candidates To Replace Mike Smith As Falcons' Head Coach

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Kirby Lee -- USA TODAY Sports

The dismissal of Mike Smith following seven seasons as the Atlanta Falcons' head coach has touched off a firestorm of speculation as to who will replace him. Some veteran names have been discussed, including one coach recently fired on the same day as Smith.

5. Dan Quinn

Dan Quinn Seahawks
Kirby Lee -- USA TODAY Sports

5. Dan Quinn

Dan Quinn Seahawks
Kirby Lee -- USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks' defensive coordinator helped guide the team to a win in Super Bowl XLVIII, and he has the Seahawks primed and ready to repeat as the top seed in the NFC. With credentials like that, he won't be in Seattle too long unless Pete Carroll suddenly decides to retire.

4. Adam Gase

Adam Gase Broncos
Chris Humphreys -- USA TODAY Sports

4. Adam Gase

Adam Gase Broncos
Chris Humphreys -- USA TODAY Sports

Anyone who guides an offense led by Peyton Manning can't be all bad, right? The Denver Broncos offensive coordinator is in high demand this offseason because of his role in bringing the Broncos back to prominence in the AFC. It could be a lucrative payday for Gase somewhere in the NFL.

3. Josh McDaniels

Josh McDaniels Patriots
Jake Roth -- USA TODAY Sports

3. Josh McDaniels

Josh McDaniels Patriots
Jake Roth -- USA TODAY Sports

McDaniels was all of 33 when the Broncos hired him in 2009 as a head coach. He wasn't quite ready then, but all indications are McDaniels is ready for another turn following a very successful stint as offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots.

2. Mike Shanahan

Mike Shanahan
Brad Penner -- USA TODAY Sports

2. Mike Shanahan

Mike Shanahan
Brad Penner -- USA TODAY Sports

Conventional wisdom has Shanahan reuniting in Chicago with his former quarterback, Jay Cutler, but there is no guarantee Cutler sticks around as the Bears begin the rebuilding process. Shanahan took a year off after his unceremonious stint with the Washington Redskins, and he'd like to get the taste of his Redskin experience out of his mouth.

1. Rex Ryan

Rex Ryan
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

1. Rex Ryan

Rex Ryan
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Before Smith was hired, the story goes that Falcons owner Arthur Blank wanted Ryan to come aboard. Now that Ryan is free and Smith is gone, does Blank pull the trigger on the deal he wanted to do before? Do not be surprised if Ryan is the candidate who wins the coaching job outright and gets a well-deserved change of scenery.

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