Raheem Morris, the defensive coordinator for the Rams, joins the Falcons as head coach.

 

 

 

 

The Atlanta Falcons announced on Thursday night that Morris, who spent the last three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, will take over as head coach.

 

Morris worked with the Falcons in 2020 as defensive coordinator and then as temporary head coach when Dan Quinn was fired, before joining Sean McVay’s Rams staff in 2021.

After spending three years as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011, Morris will now receive another opportunity in Atlanta and a second chance as a full-time head coach.

By doing this, Morris—who previously served as Emmitt Thomas’ interim head coach—will become the first black head coach in the history of the team to have a full-time position.

Morris said in a statement released by the organization, “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 organization and the significance of this team to the community and its supporters. I am so grateful to Arthur Blank for his guidance and for the organization’s faith in me to assist in leading this group. I am really grateful to the Rams organization for the chance and experience I had with the team. The Rams are a first-rate organization in every way, from Sean McVay to Kevin Demoff, Les Snead, and the Kroenke family. We had a great experience in Los Angeles; we enjoyed the fans, and we are certain that the Rams have a bright future ahead of them.”

 

The Falcons also revealed certain organizational changes at the same time they announced Morris’ hire.

Unlike under the old arrangement, which reported to CEO Rich McKay, Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot will report directly to owner Arthur Blank. In addition to representing the Falcons in league affairs and continuing to serve on the NFL Competition Committee, McKay will continue in his role as CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment.

“Today is a monumental day in Atlanta Falcons history. We are excited to welcome Raheem Morris back to Atlanta as the team’s next head coach, following a thorough search,” Blank stated in a statement. “Raheem emerged from a pool of exceptional applicants and is the ideal leader to carry our club into the future. He has 26 years of experience in the NFL, including the last three in an extraordinary organization that has won our league’s title during that time. After spending time in Los Angeles, he gained a new perspective on a variety of topics that have improved his coaching abilities in all facets of the game, including personnel, club operations, game preparation, and working with a superb offensive staff. 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.”