Raheem Morris is headed back to Atlanta, but this time as a historymaker.
The Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator reportedly is set to become the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, and the first Black head coach in franchise history, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Falcons plan to hire Rams’ defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as their head coach, per sources. pic.twitter.com/qlz3PbgEtJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 25, 2024
In 2020, Morris was the Falcons’ interim head coach, with a 4-7 record. He also coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-11 and had an overall record of 21-38.
The Falcons fired former head coach Arthur Smith after he posted the franchise’s third-consecutive 7-10 season. Many fans are impressed by the Falcons talent at skill positions, outside of quarterback, but grew frustrated with how Smith used the tools he had at his disposal. The team underused tight end Kyle Pitts, one of the best in the league at his position at only 23 years old. The same could be said about 22-year-old wide receiver Drake London. The backfield also features Tyler Allgeier, the 23-year-old who rushed for over 1,000 yards in his rookie season and Bijan Robinson, a finalist for the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
The team’s most glaring deficit is a competent starting quarterback. As rumors heated up that former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was the front-runner to take the job in Atlanta, veteran quarterbacks Cam Newton and Kirk Cousins openly said they wanted to play in Atlanta for the Falcons and Belichick.
One of the potential holdups in hiring Belichick — if the 71-year-old wanted the job — was his desire to take full control of front-office duties in constructing the team. However, Falcons owner Arthur Blank has entrusted Rich McKay with make roster-building decisions, thus leading to the historic hiring of the 47-year-old Morris.
