Falcons' Jimmy Lake Compares College, NFL Play-Calling Duties: 'Not a Huge Difference!'

The Atlanta Falcons hired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake knowing he hasn't called plays at the NFL level before. How prepared is he for the upcoming challenge?

.When Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris took his out-of-town promotion at the beginning of the 2024 offseason, he was faced with the crucial decision of delegating powers on his side of the ball.

Morris is a well-respected defensive mind, but with the responsibilities of his new role and the trust he has in his freshly built staff, play-calling became expendable. Those duties now fall to defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, who has never called plays at the NFL level before.

On Wednesday, Lake spoke about his opportunity in Atlanta and the challenge that has been bestowed upon him.

Sep 11, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Jimmy Lake during warmups against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium / Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

“This has been a dream of mine for my whole coaching career,” Lake said. “Most guys, their dream is to be a head football coach. My dream is to be a defensive coordinator in the National Football League. This has been an awesome journey. I’m so excited for this moment and this opportunity.”

Lake has an extensive resumé, dating back to 1999 when he was an undergrad assistant at Eastern Washington. After two decades of shuffling between assistant roles in both the collegiate and professional ranks, he was promoted to be the head coach of the Washington Huskies for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

His experience and previous play-calling stops – albeit not in the NFL – leave him well-prepared for the opportunity. Lake’s ambitions also incentivize Morris to give him said duties. If he’s not moving up the coaching ladder, the Falcons could have a long-term solution at defensive coordinator. Ensuring he has the power to shape the defense in his vision takes the burden away from Morris without the fear of finding a new coordinator each season.

Unsurprisingly, Lake feels that stopping college offenses will translate to the next level.

“Calling plays in college and the NFL, there’s not a huge difference,” Lake said. “What’s different right now is the NFL game is going from two-back more to one-back. Back when I was in the NFL years ago, a lot of two-back, and the college game was one-back. … Those offenses are now trickling up to the NFL. So, a lot of the plays that we’re seeing and that everybody is seeing around the league are a lot of plays that you saw at Oregon, at Ohio State.

“So, there’s actually a lot of recall of some of these offenses that we have to stop that I’ve seen before.”

Lake will have his work cut out for him. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales was hired as the Carolina Panthers head coach, potentially giving new life to quarterback Bryce Young and the rest of the offense. The New Orleans Saints won’t be stagnant, either, hiring offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak off of the Kyle Shanahan tree.

The league – and Atlanta’s rivals – will continue to evolve, meaning Lake must follow suit. He’s well aware that the NFL is going to provide thinner margins for error.

“Now, the NFL coaches do a great job of honing in and changing and even making better those plays that happen at the college level,” he said.

'Fast, Free & Physical!' Falcons Coach Lake to Play 3-4 Defense

Atlanta’s defense finished 12th in expected points added per play and fifth in success rate, meaning Lake will have a high bar to clear in his first year. With the help of much-needed offensive improvements, Lake’s contributions to the defense could make or break the Falcons’ NFC South aspirations.