Force's head coach joins Falcons staff

[HMFFL]

Doug Plank, the Georgia Force's highly successful coach, was named to the Falcons' coaching staff on Tuesday.

Plank will serve as a coaching assistant and will be assigned to special projects, according to Reggie Roberts, the Falcons vice president of football communications.

Plank met with Falcons coach Mike Smith to close the deal and clarify his role. He will be involved on offense and defense and with special teams.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank also owns the Force, which plays in the Arena Football League. In addition to working the Falcons, Plank will remain as coach of the Force.

Plank, who has a 47-25 record (.650) record and guided the Force to ArenaBowl XIX in 2005, played professionally with the Chicago Bears but has not coached in the NFL.

Plank did not return a call to his cellphone.

There was some speculation about Plank joining the Falcons staff if his former Chicago Bear teammate Mike Singletary had been hired as coach.

Plank, who played at Ohio State for the legendary Woody Hayes, started for eight seasons for the Chicago Bears, including for the legendary Super Bowl championship team of 1985.

The Bears' famed "46 Defense" created by defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan was named for Plank's number and his rugged style of safety play.

The Falcons already have Emmitt Thomas (assistant head coach/secondary) and Alvin Reynolds (defensive backs coach) working with the secondary.

One of Plank's assignments will likely include helping to develop young safeties on the roster. Behind veterans Lawyer Milloy (13 years), Erik Coleman (six years) and Deke Cooper (five years) is a young, but talented trio of safeties in Thomas DeCoud, a third-round pick in 2008, Daren Stone, a sixth-round pick in 2007 and undrafted rookie signee Eric Brock from Auburn.

It is not unprecedented for a coach to work in both leagues. In 2002, Joe Avezzano coached the Dallas Cowboys special teams and also served as coach of the AFL's Dallas Desperados in 2002.

Under Plank, the Force made four consecutive playoff appearances and won three Southern Division titles. They were upset 73-70 in the divisional playoff round by the Cleveland Gladiators on July 7.

Before joining the Force, Plank was the defensive coordinator for the AFL's Arizona Rattlers under former Cowboys quarterback Danny White.

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[mattlanta]

Good to have him aboard.