Four days after the Jacksonville Jaguars hired former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey to be their new head coach, the Falcons bring former Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter on to fill Mularkey’s old position.
Mularkey has kept several members of the 2011 Jaguars coaching staff, most notably defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, but Koetter became expendable as soon as Mularkey was hired. Not only is Mularkey a top offensive mind, he also brought former Falcons quarterbacks coach Bob Bratkowski on as the new offensive coordinator.
Koetter had been with the Jaguars since 2007, and did some good things during his tenure in Jacksonville. The 2011 season, however, was not a banner year for Koetter, with his Jaguars offense finishing last in the league in total offense.
With the Falcons, Koetter is reunited with head coach Mike Smith, who was on Jack Del Rio’s Jaguars staff with Koetter as defensive coordinator during thr 2007 season.
It will be interesting to see what Koetter can do in Atlanta. He came into the league with the reputation of being a bright, innovative offensive mind, and many feel he was held back by the conservatism of Jack Del Rio. Also, besides Maurice Jones-Drew and one Pro Bowl year by Marcedes Lewis, the Jaguars weren’t exactly overflowing with offensive playmakers during Koetter’s time in Jacksonville. In Atlanta, Koetter will have an abundance of offensive talent with quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Michael Turner, tight end Tony Gonzalez, and wide receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones. If Koetter can’t get it done with the Falcons, he will have little excuse.
