Trading places

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA -- Completing an unusual swap of offensive co-ordinators, the Atlanta Falcons hired Dirk Koetter from Jacksonville to replace Mike Mularkey only four days after the Jaguars introduced Mularkey as their new coach.

The Falcons announced the hire Sunday. ESPN first reported the move.

Mularkey, whose Falcons offence was shut out in a 24-2 playoff loss to the New York Giants last week, was introduced as Jacksonville's coach on Wednesday. He hired former Falcons quarterbacks coach Bob Bratkowski to be his offensive co-ordinator.

The Falcons hired Koetter despite the Jaguars ranking last in the league in total offence and yards passing in 2011. Koetter's offence ranked 29th with its average of 15.2 points per game.

Jacksonville rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert and Luke McCown combined for 12 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions.

The Falcons lost both co-ordinators after the season. The team is still looking to replace defensive co-ordinator Brian VanGorder, who moved back to the U.S. college ranks to head Auburn's defence.

Koetter, 52, was a combined 66-44 as the head coach at Boise State (1998 to 2000) and Arizona State (2001-06).

Koetter was hired as Jacksonville's offensive co-ordinator in 2007. He worked with Falcons coach Mike Smith for one year.

Smith was the Jaguars' defensive co-ordinator before he became Atlanta's head coach in 2008.

Smith said Koetter will bring "a fresh set of ideas to our offence."

"He is bright, he understands the intricacies of the vertical passing game, but he also wants to be able to run the football which is very important in the NFL," Smith said. "I look forward to working with Dirk and have tremendous confidence that he will be a great addition to our team and our coaching staff."

Smith has emphasized a run-first philosophy with Atlanta.

After the Jaguars fired coach Jack Del Rio, interim coach Mel Tucker assigned Koetter the additional role of quarterbacks coach for the final five games of the season.

With Atlanta, Koetter inherits an offence blessed with established starters such as quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Michael Turner, tight end Tony Gonzalez and receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones. With the exception of Jones, who was a breakout rookie in 2011, all those playmakers, plus fullback Ovie Mughelli, have been Pro Bowl selections.

Despite the wealth of talent, the offence was a disappointment as the team suffered its third straight playoff loss in its four years with Smith.

As part of their 2011 draft-day trade with Cleveland to move up in the first round and make Jones the No. 6 overall pick, the Falcons sent the Browns their 2012 first- and fourth-round picks.

That trade leaves the Falcons fewer draft picks this year to address problem areas on the offence, including on the offensive line.

Koetter did not immediately return a telephone message.