Falcons hire Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as new head coach

Raheem Morris is returning to a familiar sideline.

Morris, the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator over the past three seasons, is the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced on Thursday night.

NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero earlier reported Morris’ hiring. 

Prior to joining Sean McVay’s Rams staff in 2021, Morris spent the 2020 season with the Falcons as their defensive coordinator and then their interim head coach following the dismissal of Dan Quinn.

Now, Morris will get a second chance in Atlanta and a second chance as a full-time head coach following a three-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-2011.

In doing so, Morris will become the first Black full-time head coach in the organization’s history (Morris was an interim head coach, as was Emmitt Thomas).

“I am overjoyed for the opportunity for my family and I to return to Atlanta as the Falcons head coach,” Morris said in a statement issued through the team. “We know from firsthand experience what a first-class organization Atlanta is and what this team means to its city and its fans. I am incredibly appreciative of Arthur Blank for his leadership and for this entire organization for putting its trust in me to help lead this team. I can’t thank the Rams organization enough for the experience and opportunity with the team. From the Kroenke family, Kevin Demoff, Les Snead, Sean McVay and the entire staff, the Rams are a first-class organization all around. We loved our time in L.A., loved the fans and know the Rams continue to have a very bright future.”

Upon the team’s announcement of Morris’ hiring, the Falcons also announced some structural reorganization.

Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot will report directly to owner Arthur Blank, rather than CEO Rich McKay, as was the previous structure. McKay will remain as CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment, while continuing to represent the Falcons on league matters and serving on the NFL Competition Committee.

“This is a historic day for the Atlanta Falcons — after a comprehensive search we are thrilled to welcome Raheem Morris back to Atlanta as the team’s new head coach,” Blank said in a statement. “With 26 years of experience in the NFL, including the last three in an outstanding organization that has won our league’s championship in that time, Raheem emerged from a field of excellent candidates and is the right leader to take our team into the future. His time in L.A. has given him an enhanced perspective on everything from personnel, team operations, game planning, working with an outstanding offensive staff and many other things that has helped him develop into an even more prepared coach in all aspects of the game. I believe his leadership skills have grown and his understanding of what it takes to have a highly collaborative one-team culture are now at a much higher level.”

The 47-year-old Morris spearheaded the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning defense as its coordinator in the 2021 season. He also has 59 games under his belt as an NFL head coach (17-31 with the Buccaneers; 4-7 with the Falcons).

As Morris heads to Atlanta, that also confirms Bill Belichick will not be coaching in the NFC South.

Following the conclusion to his legendary 24-season run with the New England Patriots, Belichick’s first, second and so far only interviews were with the Falcons.

After interviewing more than a dozen candidates, the Falcons picked Morris, who now returns to the NFC South and will replace Arthur Smith, who was fired following three straight 7-10 seasons.

Morris, who began his coaching career in 1998 as a graduate assistant at Hofstra, first coached in the NFL during the 2002 season with the Buccaneers as a defensive quality coach. In all, Morris coached nine seasons with the Bucs over two stints. He also coached three seasons in Washington as a secondary assistant under Mike Shanahan and Jay Gruden. Then, Morris traveled to Atlanta to become a member of Quinn’s staff as an assistant head coach and defensive passing game coordinator in 2015.

Back in Atlanta, Morris will find a defense that improved drastically in 2023, finishing 11th in total defense after it was 27th in 2022. He will also have a talent-rich offense, led by former first-round picks Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts.

However, he will also find a looming quandary at QB as it would seem unlikely that Desmond Ridder or Taylor Heinicke would remain as the franchise’s starting signal-caller.

Morris is coming off a playoff berth with the Rams, their second in the three seasons during his tenure as DC. Now, Morris will be looking to take the Falcons back to the postseason after a six-season drought.