The Atlanta Falcons have decided on their next defensive coordinator after making a change just one year into Raheem Morris’ reign as head coach.

Former New York Jets defensive coordinator and interim coach Jeff Ulbrich was hired by the Falcons for the role, the team announced Saturday.

Ulbrich, 47, took over the Jets’ top job after coach Robert Saleh was fired following a 2-3 start to the season. He compiled a 3-9 mark as the Jets extended their NFL-high postseason drought to 14 seasons.

Prior to stepping in for the Jets, Ulbrich had been a highly regarded defensive coordinator. His units finished in the top four in yards allowed in the last three seasons, though the Jets ranked 20th in scoring in 2024.

Ulbrich returns to Atlanta after serving as an assistant for the organization from 2015-20, including a stint as defensive coordinator when Morris was promoted to interim head coach following Dan Quinn’s firing. With Morris back at the helm after earning the full-time role last offseason, the two coaching figures are teaming back up once again.

The Falcons fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake after an 8-9 season in which the team lost its inside track on the NFC South crown late in the year. The longstanding pass-rush issues again proved to be particularly problematic, with the defense ranking 31st in sacks with 31 on the year.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Several police vehicles were seen at a northeast Atlanta apartment building on Saturday morning.

Atlanta police were called to Helios off Cheshire Bridge Road NE at around 8 a.m. Atlanta News First crews saw more than five patrol cars at the scene, alongside a Grady Memorial Hospital vehicle.

The details of the incident and investigation are currently unknown.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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Associated Press

Atlanta Hawks (21-19, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (29-12, second in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -11; over/under is 235

BOTTOM LINE: Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics host Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks in Eastern Conference action.

The Celtics are 23-8 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston ranks eighth in the league with 33.9 defensive rebounds per game led by Tatum averaging 8.6.

The Hawks have gone 14-7 against Eastern Conference opponents. Atlanta has a 10-12 record in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Celtics score 117.6 points per game, 1.5 fewer points than the 119.1 the Hawks allow. The Hawks average 13.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 more makes per game than the Celtics allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Tatum is averaging 27.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Celtics.

Young is averaging 23.1 points and 11.9 assists for the Hawks.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 6-4, averaging 111.1 points, 43.5 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 7.4 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.3 points per game.

Hawks: 6-4, averaging 119.5 points, 43.8 rebounds, 29.9 assists, 10.7 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.4 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: None listed.

Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher: out (thigh), Kobe Bufkin: out for season (shoulder), Trae Young: day to day (rib), Larry Nance Jr.: out (hand), Jalen Johnson: day to day (shoulder), Cody Zeller: out (personal), De’Andre Hunter: day to day (foot).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.