In a surprising twist, it seems the Atlanta Falcons are poised to snag Ole Miss's key defensive architect, Patrick Toney, for their defensive pass game coordinator role. This move, reported by CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, would mark a swift and unexpected shift for Toney, who only recently took up the mantle as the Rebels' defensive coordinator.
Toney's journey to Ole Miss was a whirlwind, joining forces with new head coach Pete Golding on January 7. This came just a day before Ole Miss's magical 2025 run ended in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Miami. Golding, who had been the Rebels’ defensive coordinator, stepped into the head coach role after Lane Kiffin's departure to LSU, and Toney was his pick to fill the defensive coordinator slot.
The potential move to the Falcons means Ole Miss might find itself in search of another defensive leader for the 2026 season. Toney's coaching resume is impressive, having spent three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals as safeties coach and a stint as co-defensive coordinator at Florida in 2022, where he got his first taste of SEC action.
Toney and Golding share a coaching history from their days at Southeastern Louisiana in 2012 and 2013, where Golding was the defensive coordinator and Toney a defensive assistant. The duo seemed set for a reunion in Oxford, but with the NFL beckoning once more, Toney’s path appears to be taking a different turn.