After a second consecutive disappointing showing in the playoffs, the shake-ups on the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff have already begun, with Mike Smith announcing Monday that defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder is moving back to the college ranks and taking the newly open DC job at Auburn:
Smitty starts presser announcing that Brian VanGorder has accepted the DC job at Auburn University.#atlny11
VanGorder came to the Falcons in 2007 as a linebackers coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2008.
Atlanta's defense was rated 20th in the NFL against the pass and 6th against the run, giving up an average of 22 points a game this season.
The 52-year old coach has extensive experience in the college game, having served as the defensive coordinator at Georgia from 2001-2004, where he won the Frank Broyles Award for the nation's top assistant coach in 2002.
Smith gave no indication as to what direction he'd like to go in replacing VanGorder.