Flower Branch, Ga. ? Atlanta fired coach Jim Mora on Monday, just two years after he led the Falcons to the NFC championship game.

The decision to dump the fiery coach followed two straight disappointing seasons. The Falcons lost six of their final eight games in 2005 to miss the playoffs, and they finished 7-9 this season by losing seven of the last nine contests.

Owner Arthur Blank made the announcement at the team’s suburban training complex.

The 45-year-old Mora went 26-22 in three seasons as Atlanta’s coach.

“I’m proud of the many things we accomplished here, even though we fell short of our goal to bring a Super Bowl title back home to these people,” Mora said.