The Atlanta Falcons have completed an interview with Lou Anarumo for the vacant defensive coordinator position. This marks the third interview conducted by the team as part of their search process. Earlier, they interviewed University of Michigan's Don "Wink" Martindale and New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.
Anarumo, who was born in Atlanta shortly before the Falcons' inaugural season in 1966, has over a decade of NFL coaching experience. He is known for his experimental approach and schematic flexibility. His most recent role was as the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2019 to 2024.
His NFL journey began with the Miami Dolphins (2012-17), where he served as a defensive backs coach and later became interim defensive coordinator in 2015. He also worked with the New York Giants in 2018 before taking on a full-time defensive coordinator role with the Bengals.
A notable connection between Anarumo and the Falcons is Jessie Bates III, who played under him at Cincinnati before joining Atlanta in March 2023. Bates described Anarumo as a "mad Italian scientist" and praised his ability to foster open communication within the team.
During his tenure with Cincinnati, Anarumo's defense was instrumental when the Bengals were among the league's top teams. In 2022, they achieved a top-10 ranking in several categories, including sixth in points allowed. That year saw standout performances from players like Vonn Bell and Trey Hendrickson.
However, Anarumo's last two seasons with Cincinnati were less successful, leading to his dismissal after finishing near the bottom of total defense rankings in both years. Despite these challenges, his past successes make him a candidate for consideration by Atlanta.
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