Atlanta Falcons Target Patrick Toney for Defensive Pass Game Coordinator Role

The Atlanta Falcons are turning to the college ranks to fill a key coaching position, targeting Patrick Toney of Ole Miss Rebels as their next defensive pass game coordinator. The move comes amid speculation that Pete Golding, who previously called plays for the Rebels, would maintain his role in that capacity.

Toney, who did not call plays during his brief tenure at Ole Miss, may be motivated to join Atlanta by the opportunity to focus on pass-game strategy while entering the NFL coaching ranks. His experience in both professional and collegiate defenses positions him as a strong candidate for the Falcons’ staff.

Entering his first season as Ole Miss’s defensive coordinator, Toney was hired in January after three seasons as the Arizona Cardinals defensive backs coach from 2023 to 2025. Before that, he held co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach duties at Florida in 2022 and spent multiple years with Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns defensive staff, including two years as coordinator.

Toney’s professional résumé also includes stops at Southeastern Louisiana, Sam Houston State, and UTSA, where he worked directly under Golding. His trajectory highlights a blend of NFL experience and collegiate defensive leadership, making him an attractive target for a Falcons team in transition.

1. Coaching Background and Experience

Patrick Toney’s coaching career spans both the NFL and college football. After three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, he returned to the college game at Ole Miss as co-defensive coordinator, though he did not call defensive plays for the Rebels. This limitation may have influenced his openness to joining an NFL staff where he can assume a more defined role. Toney’s prior experience includes a season as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Florida under , following his time at Louisiana, where he spent four seasons on the defensive staff and the last two as coordinator. Earlier in his career, he gained experience at Southeastern Louisiana, Sam Houston State, and UTSA, providing him a breadth of tactical knowledge across multiple defensive schemes. His work under Golding at UTSA gave him insight into high-level defensive coordination, which will be valuable as he transitions to the NFL. Toney’s background emphasizes defensive backs and pass-game schematics, aligning with the Falcons’ need for a specialized coordinator. With Toney’s NFL experience, he brings both positional expertise and an understanding of professional-level speed and complexity to a Falcons defense looking to modernize its passing schemes.

2. Ole Miss Defensive Structure

If Toney departs for Atlanta, Ole Miss will retain co-defensive coordinator and Ole Miss alum , who currently serves as head coach of the defense. Brown has held a similar role for the past two seasons under Golding and previously worked as associate head coach/defensive coordinator at Cincinnati in 2023 and Louisville from 2019 to 2022. Brown’s leadership offers stability for the Rebels’ defensive unit, but the question remains whether Ole Miss will hire another co-coordinator or consolidate responsibilities under Brown. Toney’s potential exit could trigger additional staffing adjustments within the program, highlighting his influence even in a brief tenure. Despite the uncertainty, the Rebels’ defense benefits from experienced coaching continuity. Brown has overseen key defensive strategies and can maintain development for players even if Toney transitions to the NFL. The situation underscores the fluidity of coaching careers and the interplay between college programs and professional opportunities, particularly for coordinators with NFL experience.

3. Falcons Coaching Overhaul

The Falcons are in the midst of a significant staff overhaul following the hiring of former as head coach. The shakeup included unexpected moves, such as the firing of newly hired defensive line coach amid allegations dating to his time at Michigan. The search for a defensive pass game coordinator is part of a broader strategy to revamp the Falcons’ defense. Adding Toney would bring a coach with both NFL and college experience, capable of modernizing the team’s secondary and passing schemes. Atlanta’s focus on a younger coach with professional experience reflects a commitment to rebuilding a defense that struggled in recent seasons. Toney’s track record with defensive backs and co-coordinator duties aligns with the Falcons’ goal of emphasizing versatility and aggression in the secondary. If finalized, the hire could mark a turning point for Atlanta’s defensive staff, blending tactical innovation with experience from both levels of football. For Toney, it represents an opportunity to expand his NFL résumé while impacting a team in transition.