Following the unexpected resignation of Bobby Petrino on Tuesday, Emmitt Thomas was announced as the new interim coach for the Atlanta Falcons. "The rest of this season, Emmitt Thomas will be our interim head coach," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Wednesday. "He's a 28-year coaching veteran with a 13-year playing career. He has two Super Bowl rings, as defensive backs coach for the Redskins and one as a player. He's in the Kansas City Chiefs Ring of Honor."

The 64-year-old former Chiefs cornerback said: “I’m honored and excited and nervous and happy to have the opportunity. It’s an opportunity for myself and the other coaches and coordinators to try to rally these guys and get them going to play competitive football the rest of the season.”

However, Thomas, who has been the Falcons’ defensive-backs coach since 2002 and coached 6 NFL teams in his 28-year career, said he isn’t planning on a full-time job coaching the Atlanta team: “Let’s don’t take this any further than this day and this game-to-game situation,” he said. “I’ll be 65 in June, and all the years I’ve been here have been good to me, and I’m just happy I can give some back.”

“I respect Emmit the utmost. He’s been a player. He has a ton of experience. I know he’s going to lead us in the right direction. I think everybody in this locker room is looking forward to playing for him,” said Todd McClure, center for the Atlanta Falcons.

Falcons come after a 3-10 under Petrino, who had little support from the players on his departure. According to the players, they never got used to his tougher and more disciplined style. Thomas’ appointment however brought a note of enthusiasm in the Falcons’ locker room.