Raheem Morris, the first former NFL head coach owner Arthur Blank has hired in his more than 20 years in Atlanta, was named the team’s coach on Thursday. In the history of the team, he is also the first Black head coach to work full-time. Today is a landmark day in Atlanta Falcons history “said Blank in a release. “As the team’s new head coach, we are happy to welcome Raheem Morris back to Atlanta. Raheem stood out from a talented group of applicants and is the ideal leader to guide our squad into the future.
He now has a better understanding of personnel, team dynamics, game preparation, working with a superb offensive staff, and many other topics from his time in Los Angeles, which has helped him become an even more accomplished coach in every facet of the game. His grasp of what it takes to establish a highly collaborative one-team culture has advanced, and I think that his leadership abilities have improved.
Following a thorough search that yielded 14 candidates, including former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, and former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, Morris was hired.
Morris had a second interview with the club, along with four other coaches. Belichick, Bobby Slowik, the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, and Ejiro Evero, the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, were the others. The only team that Belichick is known to have interviewed with is the Falcons, and they have chosen to take a different approach.
Morris, who served as Atlanta’s interim coach for 11 games in 2020 after Dan Quinn was sacked midway through the season, is making a return to Flowery Branch, Georgia, with this. Morris worked from 4 to 7 but was not offered a full-time position. Arthur Smith was hired by the Falcons instead.
Now that Smith was let go on January 8th, following three seasons of 21–30 results, the team has chosen to choose Morris as its permanent coach. Morris released a statement saying, “I am pleased for the chance for my family and I to return to Atlanta as the Falcons head coach.” “We have personal knowledge of Atlanta’s exceptional organisation and the significance of this team to the community and its supporters.
Morris, 47, won a Super Bowl in 2021 while serving as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams for the previous three seasons.
His first full-time NFL head coaching position was with Tampa Bay from 2009 to 2011, during which time the team finished 17-31. This will be his second such position. Following his initial tenure with the Falcons in 2015 as defensive pass game coordinator, Morris then moved to Washington as the defensive backs coach from 2012 to 2014. From 2016 to 2019, Morris also served as Atlanta’s associate head coach. After Quinn was fired, he was elevated to the position of interim head coach and became the Falcons’ defensive coordinator in 2020.
Adore it “I have nothing but pleasant memories with Rah leading the way,” Falcons wide receiver Keith Smith texted ESPN. “Consider his rapport with the organisation as a plug-and-play benefit. Morris takes over a defence that includes defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, cornerback A.J. Terrell, and second-team All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III. Along with these skilful players, he gains running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, tight end Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London, and two offensive linemen from his last Atlanta stint: left tackle Jake Matthews and right guard Chris Lindstrom.
General manager Terry Fontenot released a statement saying, “I’m beyond delighted to work side-by-side with Raheem in delivering a championship to Atlanta.” “I can’t wait to work with Raheem and have his enthusiasm in our building. He is the perfect fit for our team, culture, and shared goal for success in Atlanta. As opposed to under the previous arrangement, where Fontenot and Morris reported to CEO Rich McKay, they will now report directly to Blank. McKay will continue to serve as the team’s representative on the NFL competition committee and in league affairs as an employee of AMB Sports & Entertainment. As the team president, Greg Beadles continues to be in charge of day-to-day operations.
Although many believed he no longer had any influence, McKay was said to have contributed on a daily basis at the press conference held on January 8th to announce Smith’s firing. Smith and Fontenot were reportedly spoken to by McKay “25 times a week. Although McKay will “no longer be involved in day-to-day football operations,” according to Blank on Thursday, his role within Blank’s broader enterprises will grow, and he will join the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation board as an associate director.
Morris began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Hofstra University in Long Island, New York, where he played collegiate football after growing up in New Jersey. After serving as the defensive backs coach at Cornell in 1999, he returned to Hofstra in 2000 and served as the position’s coach there until 2001. He then got his first NFL experience as a defensive assistant with the Buccaneers. Morris’s first priority after he appoints his staff will be to assess the quarterback position. Blank described the team’s quarterback play from the previous season as “poor,” which was one of the causes that led to Smith’s departure. However, Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder are still on the roster. Zac Robinson, the pass-game coordinator and coach of the Rams quarterbacks, is a strong contender to take over as Morris’ offensive coordinator in Atlanta, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Robinson will be a formidable contender for the O-coordinator position, but Morris likely want to talk to several coaches about it.
Despite the team’s late-season collapse, the Eagles have decided to retain with general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni. The Seahawks and Commanders are the two teams in the league that still have head coach positions.
