FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith was named the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year in an announcement by the AP today. In his first season with the Falcons, Smith led the team to an 11-5 regular season record and the club’s first playoff appearance since 2004.

Under Smith’s guidance, the Falcons posted one of the biggest turnarounds in franchise history (+7 wins from 2007) while finishing second in the NFC South Division. Since 1978, Smith’s 11 victories tie him for the best record for rookie head coaches in the NFL taking over a team that finished below .500 the previous season. He joins other 2008 rookie head coaches, John Harbaugh (Baltimore) and Tony Sparano (Miami) in that category.

Smith led a Falcons offense which witnessed massive improvements from 2007. The rushing attack finished second in the league with a 152.7 average, while running back Michael Turner ranked second in the NFL in rushing yards (1,699), topped the 1,000-yard plateau for the first time in his career and was named to the 2009 Pro Bowl. Atlanta posted a 24.4 points per game average in 2008, which was an 8.2-point upgrade from 2007 and the offensive line set a franchise record by allowing only 17 sacks. The Falcons passing offense, led by Associated Press Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan, improved four spots in the conference from ’07 (18th to 14th) and the team’s total offensive average of 361.2 ranked third in the NFC compared to a 12th place finish last season. Wide receiver Roddy White was the recipient of a franchise record 1,382 receiving yards as the four-year veteran will make his first trip to the 2009 Pro Bowl. Ryan became the first rookie quarterback in team history to win 11 games and the first rookie in franchise annals to throw over 3,000 passing yards (3,440) in his first season. Smith and Ryan also became the first rookie Head Coach and rookie quarterback to compete in a playoff game since the Cleveland Rams accomplished the feat in 1945.

Defensively, Smith guided defensive end John Abraham to a career season as the South Carolina alum set a new franchise record with 16.5 sacks in a single-season while forcing four fumbles and blocking one punt against Carolina in Week 4. Atlanta’s special teams were also a highlight this season as the unit set a NFL record allowing only 49 punt return yards. Wide receiver/punt returner Harry Douglas also became the first Falcon to return a punt for a touchdown (61 yards against Carolina in Week 12) since 2004.

Smith becomes only the second Head Coach in Falcons history to earn coach of the year honors and the first since Dan Reeves achieved the award after leading Atlanta to a 14-2 regular season record and a Super Bowl appearance in 1998.

For more information, please contact the Football Communications Department or log on to www.AtlantaFalcons.com

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