In the history of the team, the former defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams will be the first Black head coach.
Raheem Morris has agreed to become the Atlanta Falcons’ new head coach, according to an NFL.com story.
Morris, who met with Falcons owner Arthur Blank and the executive leadership group on Friday, January 26, ahead of his scheduled meeting with the Seattle Seahawks regarding their head coach vacancy, “killed the interview,” an insider told CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones. Morris beat out Bill Belichick, who had two interviews with the Falcons, because the group liked the enthusiasm he brought to the meeting.
In a statement, Morris—who will become the Falcons’ first Black head coach in franchise history—expressed his delight about joining the team.
Morris declared, “I am ecstatic about the chance to bring my family and myself back to Atlanta as the Falcons head coach.” “We have firsthand knowledge of Atlanta’s exceptional organization and the significance of this team to the community and its supporters. I am immensely grateful to Arthur Blank for his guidance and to the entire organization for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading this team.
He also thanked the Rams organization for giving him an opportunity to serve on the coaching staff.
“I can’t thank the Rams organization enough for the experience and opportunity with the team. From the (LA Rams owners) Kroenke family, Kevin Demoff, Les Snead, Sean McVay, and the entire staff, the Rams are a first-class organization all around,” he continued. “We loved our time in L.A., loved the fans, and know the Rams continue to have a very bright future.”
In a statement, Blank also praised Morris’s numerous achievements and coaching background.
In a statement, Blank said, “After a thorough search, we are happy to welcome Raheem Morris back to Atlanta as the team’s new head coach. This is a historic day for the Atlanta Falcons.” “Raheem stood out from a group of exceptional applicants and is the appropriate leader to carry our team 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 in that time.”
Morris was the Rams defensive coordinator during the team’s three-year winning run in Super Bowl LVI. Prior to that, Morris spent six years with the Falcons in a variety of roles, including defensive coordinator, wide receivers coach, assistant head coach/pass game coordinator, and interim head coach for five games.
Morris led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011, going 17–31 in his tenure.
In league history, the hiring of four coaches of color in the same off-season has never happened before. The director of The Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sports and author of the NFL’s report card on hiring, Adrien Bouchet, discussed the advancements achieved with the league’s head coaches.
It’s quite important. We were discussing how we couldn’t get the number to increase two years ago. It appears to have made a significant impact this year, according to Bouchet. “It’s a major matter, and I think it should be handled like one.”
Along with Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins, Morris is one of only a few Black NFL coaches, along with Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots, Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders, DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans, and Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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