Posted at 12:21 p.m., Saturday, January 26, 2008
NFL: New Falcons coach hires Robiskie WR coach
Associated Press
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — New Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith hired four assistants today, including receivers coach Terry Robiskie and defensive line coach Ray Hamilton.Smith also hired running backs coach Gerald Brown and offensive quality control coach Glenn Thomas.
Robiskie has 25 years of NFL coaching experience, including stints as an interim head coach in Washington and Cleveland.
He was the second straight assistant hired from the staff of former Miami coach Cam Cameron, who was dumped after a 1-15 season. Mike Mularkey, the Dolphins' tight ends coach in 2007, joined the Falcons as offensive coordinator on Friday.
Hamilton spent the last five seasons with Jacksonville, where Smith had been defensive coordinator. Hamilton coached defensive tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson, who combined for five Pro Bowl appearances.
Hamilton was defensive line coach for Cleveland from 2001-02 and also coached for the New York Jets, New England Patriots and Los Angeles Raiders.
Brown was an assistant at Indiana, where he coached running backs and special teams.
Thomas was offensive coordinator for Midwestern State the last four seasons.
Smith also kept two holdovers from the previous staff, promoting Brian Van Gorder to defensive coordinator and keeping Emmitt Thomas to work with the secondary and serve as assistant head coach.
