Mike Smith was named the winner, with Sparano 1 vote behind.
Smith edges Sparano for AP Coach of Year
"Their achievements were reflected by the closeness of the balloting, with Smith getting 23.5 votes and Sparano 22.5 from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL."
"Just four coaches received votes despite a year in which a half-dozen did exemplary work. Tennessee's Jeff Fisher, the longest-tenured coach in the league, received three votes, while last year's winner, Bill Belichick of New England, got one."
"Smith is the second Falcons coach to win the award; Dan Reeves got it in 1998 -- when the Falcons went to the Super Bowl."