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January 12, 2008

Pats' Dimitroff to Atlanta

I can hear you asking, who is Thomas Dimitroff? And I can't say that I blame you for not knowing.

The 40-year old Dimitroff is New England's director of college scouting, and to two sources, one being the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Steve Wyche, he's headed to Atlanta to become the Falcons' general manager.

Dimitroff will hire the Falcons' new head coach; Bobby Petrino tucked his tail between his legs and left Atlanta after just 13 games for Arkansas.

The son of Tom Dimitroff, one of the original Boston Patriots, Thomas beat out Philadelphia general manager Tom Heckert and Jacksonville's director of college scouting Gene Smith for the job. Apparently, Heckert and Smith both interviewed in person for the job early this week, but Dimitroff interviewed via satellite last weekend.

According to the Patriots' media guide, Dimitroff has been with New England for six years and in player personnel for 18. He was named director of college scouting on June 11, 2003, and oversees a staff of area scouts responsible for evaluating all of the nation's eligible college prospects.

Dimitroff worked for a year as a part-time scout with the Chiefs in 1993, before earning a full-time gig with the Lions, where he was until 1997. From 1998-2001, he was with the Browns.

Like several other members of the New England staff, including defensive coordinator Dean Pees and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Dimitroff is an Ohio native. He played at Canada's University of Guelph.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 5:08 PM | Permalink