Black Monday in the NFL is always one of the busiest days as teams decide to move on from head coaches that failed to get the job done.
However, the Atlanta Falcons are losing one of their top assistants, but he wasn’t fired.
Defensive coordinator Dean Pees has decided to retire from the NFL after a long coaching career.
#Falcons DC Dean Pees just informed players he is retiring, per sources.
Pees, 73, had been weighing the decision in recent weeks. Expect a wide search for Atlanta’s next defensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/DwjPZAOhxZ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 9, 2023
“#Falcons DC Dean Pees just informed players he is retiring, per sources. Pees, 73, had been weighing the decision in recent weeks. Expect a wide search for Atlanta’s next defensive coordinator,” insider Tom Pelissero tweeted.
Pees is 73 years old and had been with the Falcons for just two seasons.
Prior to that, he was the defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans, and once Arthur Smith became Atlanta’s new head coach, he decided to bring Pees with him.
Before the Titans stint, Pees was the DC with the Baltimore Ravens from 2012-2017 and has been coaching in some capacity ever since 1979.
Pees also spent a few seasons with the New England Patriots, including a stint as DC, and was a long-time college assistant before that.
Pees is one of the most well-respected assistant coaches in the game and he has two Super Bowl victories on his resume.
After the announcement was made, the Falcons official Twitter account paid respect to Pees:
Thank you for all you've done for the game, Coach
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 9, 2023
Pees leaves the game and now the Falcons head to the open market to find another defensive coordinator, and former Houston Texans head coach Lovie Smith could be a quality option.
Hats off to a terrific coaching career for Dean Pees.
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