Dan Quinn, who guided Atlanta to the Super Bowl for the second time in franchise history but infamously squandered a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots, was fired on Sunday night in his sixth season as the Falcons coach.
The Falcons also dismissed longtime General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, hours after falling to 0-5 this season.
Quinn and Dimitroff were fired after a 23-16 loss to Carolina Panthers added to a dismal start, which included the Falcons becoming the first team in NFL history to squander fourth-quarter leads of at least 15 points in back-to-back games.
Quinn, 50, became the second coach to be fired during the season in Arthur Blank's 18 years as owner. Dan Reeves left with three games remaining in the 2003 season after being told by Blank that he would not be retained.
Quinn departed with an overall record of 43-42, but he only 14-23 since the beginning of the 2018 season. He was 3-2 in two postseason appearances.
"Decisions like these are very difficult, but the previous two seasons and start to this one have been especially hard for me because of the deep love, admiration and respect I and my family have for Dan, Thomas and their families," Blank said in a statement released by the team.
The Falcons are expected to name an interim coach on Monday. Team President and CEO Rich McKay will take over control of football operations in the interim.
Another ejection
For the second week in a row a player was ejected for targeting after a hit on a Texans player.
