FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons assistant Emmitt Thomas has been promoted to interim head coach for the final three games of the regular season. He replaces Bobby Petrino, who resigned yesterday to become coach at Arkansas.
The 64-year-old Thomas has been with the Falcons since 2002 and
has no previous experience as a head coach. He's the first black
head coach in the team's history.
Thomas, who went into coaching in 1979 at Central Missouri State
and has coached for six NFL teams, will serve out the season
following the sudden resignation of Petrino to return to college
coaching at Arkansas.
Thomas served as defensive coordinator for Philadelphia, Green
Bay and Minnesota.