The Atlanta Falcons conducted interviews with 14 candidates for their head coach position, including seasoned coaches Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel. However, on Thursday night, the team announced their selection of Raheem Morris, who holds a 21-38 record as an NFL head coach.
Morris previously served as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator for three seasons and had a stint as the Falcons’ interim head coach before. In the 2020 season, he took on the interim role after the firing of Dan Quinn, guiding the team to four wins in the remaining 11 games.
Expressing his excitement, Morris, in a statement from the team, conveyed gratitude for the opportunity to return to Atlanta. He acknowledged the Falcons’ standing as a first-class organization and appreciated the trust placed in him by team owner Arthur Blank.
Having started his coaching career in 1998, Morris had a three-season tenure as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011, with a 17-31 record during that period.
Bill Belichick, with a remarkable 302-165 record in 29 NFL regular seasons, remains available after spending the past 24 seasons with the New England Patriots. Mike Vrabel, who spent the last six seasons with the Tennessee Titans, had a 54-45 record during his tenure.
Other candidates considered by the Falcons included Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. Harbaugh was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers, while Callahan was picked up by the Titans. Morris takes over from Arthur Smith, who was fired on January 8 after three seasons with a 7-10 record each year.
