It’s been a busy week for the Atlanta Falcons as the team searches for a new defensive coordinator. Another member of the Atlanta’s coaching staff was in the news on Wednesday, though.
Falcons special teams coordinator Marquice Williams was one of two NFL assistants chosen to coach the 2025 Shrine Bowl. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Williams will lead the East while New York Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will coach the West.
This will be Williams’ second time coaching at the Shrine Bowl. He previously coached back in 2023. Atlanta’s special teams units have been solid since Williams took over in 2021.
The Falcons averaged 26.4 yards per kick return and 9.5 yards per punt return last season. The team averaged 47 yards per punt with 14 pinned inside the 20-yard line.
There were some issues in the kicking game late in the year, likely due to Younghoe Koo‘s injury.
The two head coaches for the Shrine Bowl will be Falcons special teams coordinator Marquice Williams and Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. Williams will coach the East, Bowen the West.
The West team also will have members of the Titans’ offensive staff too, meaning they…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 16, 2025
Riley Patterson struggled with medium-to-long-range kicks after taking over for Koo. Patterson missed a crucial 56-yarder that would have given the Falcons a win over the Washington Commanders.
This year’s Shrine Bowl will be held on January 30 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
For over a century, the Shrine Bowl has been the first step toward greatness for some of football’s biggest stars. Legends like Tom Brady, Walter Payton, and John Elway played here, as well as today’s standouts like Brock Purdy, Zay Flowers, and Isiah Pacheco. – ShrineBowl.com
The Falcons have completed two interviews for their defensive coordinator vacancy. Wink Martindale was interviewed on Tuesday and Jeff Ulbrich spoke with the team on Wednesday.
Use our interview tracker to keep up with the latest updates on the team’s defensive coordinator search!