Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will handle play-calling duties, though the process of building a scheme will include lots of collaboration.

The Atlanta Falcons have hired former New York Jets defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator, the team announced Saturday night. The Falcons interviewed seven candidates for the job, but Ulbrich always was considered the favorite because of his relationship with Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.

New defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said his top priority is affecting opposing quarterbacks -- long a thorn in the Atlanta Falcons' side.

The Falcons fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and defensive line coach Jay Rodgers after an underwhelming season in Atlanta. The defense finished 23rd in points allowed and 23rd in total yards, while ranking 31st in total sacks last season.

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.

ATLANTA — The Falcons brought Jeff Ulbrich back to Atlanta, naming their former assistant as defensive coordinator on Saturday night.

They wouldn’t and they won’t, Ulbrich said Monday during his introductory news conference. He said both coaches are better since that coaching staff was swept out following Ulbrich’s tenure as interim defensive coordinator under interim head coach Morris in 2020.

The Atlanta Falcons' search for a defensive coordinator now includes a former interim head coach for an NFC South Division rival.

Jeff Ulbrich expressed some regrets about the way he handled his 12-game stint as the New York Jets interim coach as he looked ahead on Monday to his new job as defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.