Falcons fire Mike Smith

— -- Coach Mike Smith was fired by the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced Monday morning.

Smith's firing did not come as a surprise, as multiple media outlets have reported on owner Arthur Blank's frustration with the Falcons' shortcomings over the last two seasons.

"Smitty's contributions to our club, team and city over the last seven years are numerous," Blank said in a release. "His accomplishments on the field made him the most successful coach in the 49-year history of the Falcons, and we are grateful for the foundation he has laid for us for the future."

Blank will hold a news conference later Monday morning.

The Falcons went 6-10 this season, their second straight losing year under Smith. Atlanta had a chance to win the NFC South despite its losing record but lost, 34-3, at home Sunday to the Carolina Panthers, who won the division with a 7-8-1 record.

It was Atlanta's latest disappointing loss in a big game under Smith, who finished with a 1-4 postseason record despite going 66-46 in the regular season.

The Falcons reached the playoffs four times in Smith's seven seasons with the team.

But after reaching the NFC Championship Game following the 2012 season, the Falcons went just 4-12 last season, prompting an offseason roster overhaul.

Prior to Sunday's game, league sources told ESPN that the Falcons had hired the search firm Korn Ferry to identify head-coaching candidates in the event the team made a coaching change.

ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen contributed to this report.