Following a thudding end to their 2014 season, the Falcons fired head coach Mike Smith on Monday. He had been at the helm since 2008. Smith's ouster had been expected for some time but became all but guaranteed after Atlanta lost Sunday's NFC South title game at home to the Panthers, 34-3. Smith's first five years in Atlanta included a tremendous 56-24 regular-season record. But Atlanta claimed just one of its five playoffs Credits: Falcons get rid of HC Mike Smith