Tom Dimitroff named GM of Atlanta Falcons

ATLANTA, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Tom Dimitroff, who has been New England Patriots college scouting director for five years, was hired Sunday as general manager of the Atlanta Falcons.

The 40-year-old Dimitroff succeeds Rich McKay, who gave up his GM duties but will continue as team president.

One of Dimitroff's first tasks will be to find a coach to replace Bobby Petrino, who quit the team to coach at Arkansas.

Dimitroff also was with scouting departments of the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns in an 18-year NFL career.

"Thomas is a really bright football mind who comes out of the most successful franchise in sports today," McKay said. "He has an excellent track record of evaluating players, and I certainly look forward to working with him."

The Falcons won only four of 16 games this season -- after starting the campaign amid the turmoil surrounding the prosecution of quarterback Michael Vick on charges connected to an illegal dog-fighting operation.