Atlanta Falcons hire Raheem Morris as next head coach

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons have officially hired Raheem Morris as their next head coach, the team announced on social media on Thursday night.

Morris had spent the last three seasons as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator.

The 47-year-old Morris should be familiar with the franchise, having spent six seasons as a coach with the Falcons from 2015 to 2020.

“I am overjoyed for the opportunity for my family and I to return to Atlanta as the Falcons head coach,” said Morris. “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.

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Morris was elevated to interim head coach in 2020 after the Falcons fired former Head Coach Dan Quinn.

With the Falcons, Morris worked as an assistant head coach, wide receivers coach, and passing coordinator from 2015 to 2019. Then in 2020, he became the team’s defensive coordinator, before being elevated to interim head coach.

With this hire, Morris will become the 19th head coach and the first Black full-time head coach in the Falcons’ history.

“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,” said Falcons owner Arthur Blank. “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.

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This will be Morris’ second stint as a head coach, as he previously spent three seasons as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011.

Morris was just 32 when he was hired by the Buccaneers, making him one of the youngest head coaches in NFL history.

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Dallas Cowboys v Tampa Bay Buccaneers TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Raheem Morris of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers congratulates Carnell Williams #24 after his touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the game at Raymond James Stadium on September 13, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images) (J. Meric/Getty Images)

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