Falcons Hire Terry Fontenot As New General Manager

The Atlanta Falcons have been on the lookout for a new General Manager, and they've poached one of their own from the NFC South to hopefully lead them back to the Promised Land.

That new voice for the team is Terry Fontenot, who comes to the ATL after spending the last 18 years working in the bayou for the New Orleans Saints.

"With the Atlanta Falcons, I have found the perfect opportunity for my family's next steps," Fontenot said Tuesday morning.

"I feel honored and thankful that Arthur Blank and Rich McKay have given me this privilege and I look forward to working alongside the two of them, Arthur Smith and our entire organization as we strive together to reach our competitive goals and give our fans the performances they deserve.

"My family and I are thrilled to make our new home in Atlanta and look forward to meeting our fellow Falcon fans."

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Sunday that Fontenot was expected to be hired once the Saints were out of the postseason, which took place Sunday evening in a loss to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Fontenot comes in for Thomas Dimitroff, who was canned in October when the team cleaned house after a slow start. Head coach Dan Quinn was also fired.

Not only are the Saints losing Fontenot, they are also set to lose one of their own from their coaching staff, as the Detroit Lions are expected to steal away tight ends/assistant coach Dan Campbell to be the team's new head coach.

Fontenot began as a marketing intern for New Orleans before he went to the team's scouting department. He then became a pro scouting assistant and player personnel assistant before he went on to be a pro scout with the team for the last seven years.