A bit of an upstart name here, Jonathan Gannon first started coaching as a student assistant and graduate assistant at Louisville under Bobby Petrino from 2003-2006. Gannon assisted with game planning and scouting for Petrino’s successful squads but he also excelled in coaching his teammates (while he was there, Louisville had three defensive backs drafted). Gannon impressed Petrino so much that he brought Gannon with him to Atlanta when he was hired to coach the Falcons.
Gannon served as an assistant defensive coach and quality control coach for Atlanta that season before Petrino’s departure. Gannon worked under Mike Zimmer in Atlanta for that year, working primarily with the defensive backs.