Falcons New Defensive Coach Brings Energy

In January 2025, the Atlanta Falcons made a decisive move by appointing Nate Ollie as their defensive line coach. Fresh off a strong stint with the Houston Texans in 2024, Ollie brings a reputation for energizing defensive fronts and pushing players to perform with physicality and intensity.

He helped lift Indianapolis and Houston front sevens to top-five sack rankings and played a key role in guiding star players to Pro Bowl seasons. His experience working alongside Falcons’ DC Jeff Ulbrich back with the Jets adds instant credibility and familiarity.

In an article by Terrin Waack, head coach Raheem Morris talks about the energy that Ollie brings to the team.

“Nate Ollie is a walking ball of energy,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. “The minute you meet him, the minute you interview him, the minute you do anything with him, he is always going to be a certain form of energy, and that comes with a belief in what he’s teaching.”

High-Octane, Attack-First Philosophy

He preaches an “attack-style” front where every defender immediately goes after the quarterback—”no jabs, just haymakers.” His mindset is that defensive linemen shouldn’t hesitate; they should explode off the ball, win individual matchups, and dominate the line of scrimmage.

“It’s like we’re trying to be like Mike Tyson and throw haymakers,” Ollie said. “We’re getting off the ball, attacking and throwing haymakers. No jabs. It’s all haymakers.”

Ollie’s fiery personality is hardly subdued, whether on the practice field or in the locker room, he’s loud, engaged, and full of vigor.

“It’s just exciting to build it from the ground up and see guys flourish,” Ollie said. “Man, that excites me.”

“He’s loud 24/7,” said Defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro

Ollie is High Energy

Ollie prioritizes developing a sense of unity and trust among his defensive line. By stressing effort, fundamentals, and accountability, he aims to create a collective mindset where each lineman operates with confidence, depth players are ready to step in, and the group plays as one.

“As a D-line, you want a high-energy coach because the D-line is a high-energy position,” Orhorhoro said. “You’re making contact every play. You might run 40 yards on this play. You might run 20 yards to this place. So, I feel like if you have somebody that’s high energy that can keep it up, it’ll be good for the group.”

Morris feels like everybody on the team feeds off of his energy not just the defensive line.

“When you have that high-level belief and that high-level thought process that you can’t be beat, because of that, it eventually goes to your players,” Morris said. “And eventually what’s going to happen with Nate, which happens to all coaches, is that energy goes into your room. Then, you eventually pull off and you watch those guys become a version of you or become your sounding board. I’m seeing it start to happen already with some of the guys up front.”