Two candidates — Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and New York Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich — have completed interviews while two others — former Bengals DC Lou Anarumo and former Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks — are set to meet with the team next week.

The defense was heavily criticized by first-year Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris after the Falcons ended the season with back-to-back overtime losses (with a combined 74 points allowed). Morris was the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator for three seasons before taking over in Atlanta last January.

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Falcons are hiring Jeff Ulbrich to be their next defensive coordinator. Ulbrich was previously the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets and took over as the interim head coach this season after Robert Saleh was fired.

The Falcons announced the hiring of Jeff Ulbrich as their new defensive coordinator on Saturday night. The team interviewed seven candidates this week following the firing of defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake on Jan. 11 after Lake’s one season with the team.

The Atlanta Falcons continued their search for a defensive coordinator by conducting a virtual interview with New York Jets interim coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.

The Falcons have brought Jeff Ulbrich back to Atlanta, naming their former assistant as defensive coordinator.

The Atlanta Falcons continued to add fresh faces to their defensive coaching staff. The team announced on Jan. 24 that they hired Mike Rutenberg as defensive passing game coordinator and Nate Ollie as defensive line coach.