The Falcons promoted quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave to assistant head coach Tuesday.

The move is deemed a reward for helping develop Matt Ryan and also a means of retaining Musgrave after other teams called requesting permission to lure him away, possibly for offensive coordinator positions. Those teams are unknown.

Musgrave, who will maintain his role as QBs coach, joined the Falcons in 2006 under then-head coach Jim Mora. Musgrave was one of the few assistants retained when Bobby Petrino took over in 2007 and Mike Smith did the same in 2008. Musgrave and Ryan have a strong working relationship, with the coach’s low-key but firm gym-rat style on the field and in the meeting room perfectly suited for the QB.

Former secondary coach Emmitt Thomas was the Falcons’ assistant head coach the past two seasons, but his contract wasn’t renewed after the season. Thomas then was hired by the Chiefs.

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