ATLANTA — After a third straight 7-10 season, the Atlanta Falcons parted ways late Sunday night with coach Arthur Smith.
On Monday, the team's owner, Arthur Blank, and CEO Rich McKay, spoke with the press about the decision to part ways with Smith and the plan going forward for finding a replacement.
Both men began by giving thanks to Smith for his time and dedication to the team but added that they felt parting with him was ultimately the right decision.
"I feel pained by the decision," Blank remarked. "But I also feel at peace for our fans."
Meanwhile, McKay spoke to Smith's work "retooling the roster and fixing the salary cap," since he first came on back in 2021.
"I'm the son of a coach," he mentioned. "So, I know the impact of decisions like these."
Both men also touched on Smith's strong relationships with his players, which they noted was evident as many of them came forward to give their reaction Sunday night.
But Blank ultimately spoke to the lack of championships in the last three years as the central factor in the decision.
Smith was the head coach in Atlanta for three seasons, finishing 7-10 in each campaign. He finished with an overall record of 21-30.
As for the search for someone to fill Smith's shoes? Blank said there is no timetable yet, adding, "We'll take as much time as we need to do it correctly.
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You can watch the full video of the press conference below.