The Atlanta Falcons have appointed Bill Callahan as their new offensive line coach, marking the second addition to head coach Kevin Stefanski’s staff. Earlier in the week, Jeff Ulbrich was retained as defensive coordinator.
Callahan brings over forty years of coaching experience at both college and professional levels. He began his NFL career in 1995 with the Philadelphia Eagles as an offensive line coach and later advanced through various roles with the then-Oakland Raiders, eventually becoming head coach in 2002. In his first season leading the Raiders, Callahan guided them to an AFC West title and a Super Bowl appearance. He was one of only four first-year head coaches in NFL history to achieve this milestone.
After returning to college football in 2004 as Nebraska’s head coach, Callahan led the team to a Big 12 North championship in 2006. He returned to the NFL in 2008 with the New York Jets as assistant head coach and offensive line coach. Under his leadership, three Jets linemen were selected for the Pro Bowl during his first year, and the team set a franchise record for rushing yards in 2009.
Callahan also worked with the Dallas Cowboys from 2012-14 as offensive line coach and coordinator, helping three players earn All-Pro honors. He joined Washington’s coaching staff in 2015 and served as interim head coach during part of the 2019 season.
In 2020, when Stefanski assembled his Cleveland Browns staff, Callahan became offensive line coach. Stefanski said about him in 2021: “I have seen Coach Callahan on his hands and knees getting guys into three-point stances how he wants it. Coach Callahan has a way about him. That is how he has been coaching for years. I have heard the stories going way back to his college days. He coaches them hard, and he is fair. I think the guys respect that. He is a huge resource to me with him being a former head coach, and he has seen so much. I just think the guy is outstanding.”
During Callahan’s tenure with Cleveland, their offensive line achieved top rankings for pass protection according to ESPN and consistently ranked high for rushing offense between 2020-2023.
In 2024, Callahan joined his son Brian on the Tennessee Titans’ coaching staff but was released from duties by October 2025 after Brian’s departure from the team. This allowed Bill Callahan to reunite with Stefanski in Atlanta.
Stefanski commented on this move last year: “Bill Callahan — a very unique situation there to go work for Brian, not with Brian,” adding: “He’s going to work for Brian. I can’t wait for Brian to boss him around. The dream of every kid is to boss their parents around. Happy for those guys.” Stefanski continued: “Organizationally, we realize that’s a unique situation and did not want to stand in the way of that. Excited, certainly, for Brian and Bill down there.”
Callahan will now oversee an Atlanta Falcons offensive line featuring All-Pro Chris Lindstrom, Jake Matthews—who holds one of the league’s longest consecutive start streaks—and Matthew Bergeron; Kaleb McGary may also return after missing last season due to injury.
The Atlanta Falcons are based in Atlanta, Georgia and compete in the National Football League’s NFC South Division since joining as an expansion franchise in 1965 (official website). The team has made two Super Bowl appearances (1998 and 2016) (official website), plays its home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and features Freddie the Falcon as its mascot (official website).
