Falcons Continue Defensive Reset With Key Coaching Additions

The Atlanta Falcons continue to reshape their defensive identity, announcing several coaching moves that signal a clear focus on development, accountability, and results.

Atlanta has hired LaTroy Lewis as assistant defensive line coach and Ricky Manning Jr. as assistant defensive backs/nickels coach. The team also retained John Timu, promoting him to outside linebackers coach, and retained Barrett Ruud as inside linebackers coach.

Taken together, these moves reflect a staff built on teaching, experience, and familiarity with what it takes to compete at a high level.

LaTroy Lewis: From Championship Pedigree to the Pros

Lewis arrives in Atlanta after spending the 2025 season as defensive line coach at Toledo, following three years at Michigan — where he was part of the Wolverines’ 2023 National Championship run.

His path hasn’t been rushed. Lewis worked his way up through graduate assistant roles at Akron, South Alabama, Wake Forest, and Michigan, learning the details of player development before earning full coaching responsibilities. That background matters, especially for a Falcons defensive front still focused on growth and consistency.

As a former NFL defensive lineman himself — with stops at Tennessee, Oakland, Houston, and Tennessee — Lewis brings credibility and firsthand understanding to the room.

Ricky Manning Jr.: Secondary Experience That Shows Up on Film

Manning joins the Falcons with a résumé that blends NFL success, college development, and grassroots coaching.

Most recently, he served as cornerbacks coach for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, after spending three seasons with the New York Jets. During his time in New York, the Jets’ secondary ranked among the league’s best — finishing fifth in fewest passing yards allowed and second in passes defensed.

A former NFL cornerback himself, Manning played six seasons in the league and understands the demands of the position at every level. His experience developing defensive backs — from high school to the pros — gives Atlanta another teacher-focused voice in a critical area of the defense.

John Timu’s Promotion Reflects On-Field Results

Promoting John Timu to outside linebackers coach is a move backed by production.

After working as a defensive assistant the past two seasons, Timu helped oversee a Falcons pass rush that recorded a franchise-record 57 sacks in 2025. Second-year defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus posted 8.5 sacks — the most among NFC interior defensive linemen — highlighting the impact of consistent coaching and technique.

A former NFL linebacker himself, Timu’s promotion rewards both performance and continuity.

Stability With Barrett Ruud

Retaining Barrett Ruud as inside linebackers coach adds stability to the group. Ruud’s experience and familiarity with the roster help ensure the defense continues building rather than resetting.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t about splashy hires.

It’s about infrastructure.

The Falcons are quietly assembling a defensive staff rooted in player development, accountability, and proven results — the kind of foundation that shows up over time, not just on announcement day