Atlanta the Falcons are going back to
their past to try to solidify their
future Atlanta hired Raheem Morris as
its coach on Thursday making him the
first former NFL head coach owner Arthur
Blank has hired in his 20 plus year
tenure he's also the first full-time
blackhe head coach in the franchise's
history this is a historic day for the
Atlanta Falcons blank said in a
statement we are thrilled to welcome
Raheem Morris back to Atlanta as the
team's new head coach Raheem emerged
from a field of excellent candidates and
as the Right leader to take our team
into the future his time in LA has given
him an enhanced perspective on
everything from Personnel team
operations game planning working with an
outstanding offensive staff and many
other things that has helped him develop
into an even more prepared coach in all
aspects of the game I believe his
leadership skills have grown and his
understanding of what it takes to have a
highly collaborative one team culture
are now at a much higher level Morris's
hire comes after an extensive search
that featured 14 candidates including
former New England Patriots coach Bill
bellachic ex- Tennessee Titans coach
Mike Vel and former Michigan coach Jim
Harbaugh who was hired Wednesday by the
Los Angeles Chargers Morris was one of
four coaches who had second interviews
with the CL the others were bellachic
Houston Texans offensive coordinator
Bobby slowick and Carolina Panthers
defensive coordinator airo evero the
Falcons are the only team bellachic is
known to have interviewed with and
they've decided to go in another
Direction This marks a return to Flowery
Branch Georgia for Morris who was
Atlanta's interim coach for 11 games in
2020 after it fired Dan Quinn Midway
through the season
Morris went 4 to7 but was not given the
full-time job instead the Falcons hired
Arthur Smith now after Smith was fired
on January 8th after going 21 to3 in his
three seasons the team has decided to
hire Morris as its full-time coach I am
Overjoyed for the opportunity for my
family and I to return to Atlanta as the
Falcons head coach Morris said in a
statement we know from firsthand
experience what a first class
organization Atlanta has 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 Morris 47 spent
the past three seasons as the Los
Angeles Rams defensive coordinator
winning a Super Bowl in
2021 this will be his second stint as a
full-time NFL head coach having
previously LED Tampa Bay from 2009 to 11
going 17-31 over the three seasons
Morris then went to Washington as the
defensive backs coach from 2012 to4
before his first stint with the Falcons
first serving as defensive pass game
coordinator in 2015 and then receivers
coach from 2016 to9 while also being
Atlanta's assistant head coach