Redskins tried to sign DC Ed Donatell - who signed in Atlanta

[inmate running the asylum]

Gibbs, Donatell join Falcons; nine coaches retained

By MATT WINKELJOHN

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer

There were no surprises Monday when the Falcons announced their coaching staff, but a few job descriptions have been amended.

Jim Mora, who was hired as head coach Jan. 9, made official the hiring of assistant head coach/offensive line coach Alex Gibbs and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.

Mora retained nine coaches from the previous staff, including secondary coach Emmitt Thomas, who now has the title of senior defensive assistant/secondary.

Also back are defensive line coach Bill Johnson, special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, wide receivers coach George Stewart, quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson, running backs coach Ollie Wilson, strength and conditioning coach Al Miller and his assistant, Rocky Colburn, and defensive assistant Dennis Allen.

New to the staff are Gibbs, 63; offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, 40, late of the 49ers; Donatell, 46, from the Packers; and two more former San Francisco assistants in linebackers coach Chris Beake and defensive backs coach Brett Maxie.

Gibbs spent the past three seasons in semi-retirement as a consultant with the Broncos. Prior to that, he was considered among the best offensive line coaches in the league. And Donatell's past three Green Bay teams had 116 combined takeaways, more than any team in the league. He was fired by the Packers on Friday.

"We feel very lucky to get them both," said Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who is attending the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., with most of the staff. "In the case of Gibbs . . . I did my part in recruiting him, but [president/general manager Rich] McKay and Mora worked on this, for sure. He is a great investment in our young offensive line and will help immensely in developing our running and pass protection game.

"In the case of Ed, he was very well known to Mora and has an excellent reputation around the league. I know [the Redskins] were working overtime in trying to land him as well."