{"id":39223,"date":"2025-09-23T18:10:47","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T18:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=39223"},"modified":"2025-09-23T18:10:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T18:10:47","slug":"falcons-fire-assistant-coach-ike-hilliard-after-blowout-loss-to-panthers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=39223","title":{"rendered":"Falcons fire assistant coach Ike Hilliard after blowout loss to Panthers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>An ex-Giant took the fall for the Falcons\u2019 grounded passing attack.<\/p>\n<p>Atlanta fired wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard following Sunday\u2019s shocking 30-0 road loss to the Panthers, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AtlantaFalcons\/status\/1970256799023428055\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the team announced Monday night<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Passing game coordinator T.J. Yates has been promoted to assume the vacated responsbilities.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\n<div class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__wrapper\"><a title=\"Open a slideshow of all 3 article images.\" href=\"#\" aria-controls=\"nyp-slideshow-modal\" data-slideshow-modal=\"trigger\" aria-label=\"Open a slideshow of all 3 article images.\" data-slideshow-slide-number=\"1\" data-slideshow-slides-total=\"3\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; margin: 1em auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/Hilliard.png\" alt=\"Coach Hilliard in a red jacket and black hat pointing towards two players.\" \/><span class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"> <span class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__icon-text\"> <span data-slideshow-modal=\"count\">3<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The Falcons (1-2) entered the year hoping to build off the solid showing first-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. showed after replacing Kirk Cousins, but he has not played well to start the season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"connatix-outstream-video\"><\/div>\n<p>Penix has thrown for just 605 yards across three games with one touchdown and two interceptions.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\">\n<div class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__wrapper\"><a title=\"Open a slideshow of all 3 article images.\" href=\"#\" aria-controls=\"nyp-slideshow-modal\" data-slideshow-modal=\"trigger\" aria-label=\"Open a slideshow of all 3 article images.\" data-slideshow-slide-number=\"2\" data-slideshow-slides-total=\"3\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; margin: 1em auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/atlanta-falcons-quarterback-michael-penix-111884476.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. holding his helmet and covering his face with his hand as he walks off the field.\" \/><span class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"> <span class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__icon-text\"> <span data-slideshow-modal=\"count\">3<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>It\u2019s not a good sign that star running back Bijan Robinson is the team\u2019s leading receiver with 14 catches for 164 yards and has the team\u2019s lone receiving touchdown.<\/p>\n<p>Former first-round pick Drake London has disappointed fantasy football mangers with just 16 catches for 159 yards, while Ray-Ry McCloud III and Darnell Mooney have combined for 135 receiving yards.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\">\n<div class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__wrapper\"><a title=\"Open a slideshow of all 3 article images.\" href=\"#\" aria-controls=\"nyp-slideshow-modal\" data-slideshow-modal=\"trigger\" aria-label=\"Open a slideshow of all 3 article images.\" data-slideshow-slide-number=\"3\" data-slideshow-slides-total=\"3\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; margin: 1em auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/09\/lathan-ransom-22-carolina-panthers-111892358.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Lathan Ransom of the Carolina Panthers tackling Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons.\" \/><span class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"> <span class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image__icon-text\"> <span data-slideshow-modal=\"count\">3<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>London and Mooney combined for nine catches and 99 yards against a leaky secondary in Sunday\u2019s loss, with Penix tallying 172 passing yards on 18-of-36 passing.<\/p>\n<p>Last season, the two receivers combined for 164 catches, 2,263 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns, with London posting a 100-1,271-9 slash line.<\/p>\n<div class=\"product-spotlight product-spotlight-block wp-block-nypost-editor-product-spotlight\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; margin: 1em auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?w=1024\" alt=\"underdog fantasy logo\" data-modal-image=\"36699206\" \/><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/play.underdogfantasy.com\/p-new-york-post\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-nyp-affiliate=\"true\">Underdog<\/a><\/strong> is where football fans become winners.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Easy player picks<\/li>\n<li>No season-long commitments<\/li>\n<li>Real prizes every single night<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Use promo code <strong>NYPOST5<\/strong> to get $50 in site credits when you play $5!<\/p>\n<div class=\"nyp-block-buttons aligncenter aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-button\">\n<div class=\"nyp-block-button nyp-block-button--buy\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link nyp-block-button__link buy-button\" href=\"https:\/\/play.underdogfantasy.com\/p-new-york-post\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-href=\"https:\/\/play.underdogfantasy.com\/p-new-york-post\" data-vars-href=\"https:\/\/play.underdogfantasy.com\/p-new-york-post\" data-nyp-affiliate=\"true\" data-ga4-event=\"\n\t\t\t\t\t{&quot;event_name&quot;:&quot;ux_engagement&quot;,&quot;source_unit&quot;:&quot;buy_button&quot;,&quot;source_position&quot;:&quot;play.underdogfantasy.com&quot;}\t\t\t\t\t\">CLAIM YOUR UNDERDOG BONUS NOW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"product-spotlight__disclosure body body--xs\">Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games, 21+ in AZ and MAZ) and present in a state where Underdog operates. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GABMLER or visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ncpgambling.org\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.ncpgambling.org<\/a>. NY: Call the 24\/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). New York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase. The Underdog promo code might vary by location.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Amid this uninspiring start, the Falcons decided to move on from Hilliard, who joined the coaching staff following Raheem Morris\u2019 hiring prior to the 2024 season.<\/p>\n<p>He previously spent time as a receivers coach with the Steelers, Commanders and Bills.<\/p>\n<p>The Giants drafted Hilliard with the No. 7 pick in the 1997 NFL Draft and he played for Big Blue from 1997-2004 before finishing his career with the Buccaneers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-nyp-editor-universal-promo\">\n<div class=\"universal-promo__inner\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\" module module--precede-with-border module--follow-with-border wp-block-nypost-editor-protected-embed\"><\/div>\n<p>Hilliard tallied 368 catches for 4,630 yards and 27 touchdowns with the Giants, and started 14 games for the 2000 team that lost to the Ravens in the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n<p>Yates served in Hilliard\u2019s capacity before moving to the passing game coordinator position.<\/p>\n<p>The Falcons aim to avoid a 1-3 start Sunday in Week 4 when they host the Commanders, and Washington is a 2.5-point road favorite at <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/betting\/draftkings-promo-code\/\">DraftKings<\/a><\/p>\n<p>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An ex-Giant took the fall for the Falcons\u2019 grounded passing attack. Atlanta fired wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard following Sunday\u2019s shocking 30-0 road loss to the Panthers, the team announced &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":39224,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39223","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39223","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=39223"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39225,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39223\/revisions\/39225"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/39224"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39223"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39223"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}