Falcons fire assistant coach Ike Hilliard after embarrassing loss to Panthers

[ad_1]

An ex-Large took the autumn for the Falcons’ grounded passing assault.

Atlanta fired large receivers coach Ike Hilliard following Sunday’s stunning 30-0 street loss to the Panthers, the group introduced Monday night time.

Passing recreation coordinator T.J. Yates has been promoted to imagine the vacated responsbilities.

Ike Hilliard in a 2024 photograph he posted to Instagram. @ikehilliard/Instagram

The Falcons (1-2) entered the 12 months hoping to construct off the stable displaying first-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. confirmed after changing Kirk Cousins, however he has not performed nicely to begin the season.

Penix has thrown for simply 605 yards throughout three video games with one landing and two interceptions.

Michael Penix Jr. has not performed nicely for the Falcons. AP

It’s not a very good signal that star operating again Bijan Robinson is the group’s main receiver with 14 catches for 164 yards and has the group’s lone receiving landing.

Former first-round choose Drake London has upset fantasy soccer mangers with simply 16 catches for 159 yards, whereas Ray-Ry McCloud III and Darnell Mooney have mixed for 135 receiving yards.

Drake London has not carried the momentum from final 12 months into 2025. Getty Photos

London and Mooney mixed for 9 catches and 99 yards in opposition to a leaky secondary in Sunday’s loss, with Penix tallying 172 passing yards on 18-of-36 passing.

Final season, the 2 receivers mixed for 164 catches, 2,263 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns, with London posting a 100-1,271-9 slash line.

make each NFL recreation repay

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-modal-image="36699206" width="158" height="158" src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?w=1024" alt="underdog fantasy logo" class="wp-image-36699206" style="width:158px;height:auto;aspect-ratio:1;display:block" srcset="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png 4167w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=150,150 150w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=300,300 300w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=768,768 768w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=2048,2048 2048w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=600,600 600w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=589,589 589w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=496,496 496w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=576,576 576w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=440,440 440w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=282,282 282w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=180,180 180w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=71,71 71w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=40,40 40w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=70,70 70w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=54,54 54w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=200,200 200w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=231,231 231w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=322,322 322w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=441,441 441w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=60,60 60w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=80,80 80w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=58,58 58w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=156,156 156w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=50,50 50w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/UnderdogLogo_Final_stacked-black.png?resize=96,96 96w" sizes="(max-width: 158px) 100vw, 158px"/> Underdog Fantasy

Underdog is the place soccer followers change into winners.

Straightforward participant picks

No season-long commitments

Actual prizes each single night time

Use promo code NYPOST5 to get $50 in web site credit if you play $5!

Have to be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some video games, 21+ in AZ and MAZ) and current in a state the place Underdog operates. Involved along with your play? Name 1-800-GABMLER or go to http://www.ncpgambling.org. NY: Name the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or textual content HOPENY (467369). New York Publish receives income from affiliate and promoting partnerships for sharing this content material and if you make a purchase order. The Underdog promo code would possibly fluctuate by location.

Amid this uninspiring begin, the Falcons determined to maneuver on from Hilliard, who joined the teaching workers following Raheem Morris’ hiring previous to the 2024 season.

He beforehand hung out as a receivers coach with the Steelers, Commanders and Payments.

The Giants drafted Hilliard with the No. 7 choose within the 1997 NFL Draft and he performed for Massive Blue from 1997-2004 earlier than ending his profession with the Buccaneers.

Hilliard tallied 368 catches for 4,630 yards and 27 touchdowns with the Giants, and began 14 video games for the 2000 group that misplaced to the Ravens within the Tremendous Bowl.

Yates served in Hilliard’s capability earlier than shifting to the passing recreation coordinator place.

The Falcons purpose to keep away from a 1-3 begin Sunday in Week 4 once they host the Commanders, and Washington is a 2.5-point street favourite at DraftKings.