Atlanta Falcons hires Raheem Morris as new head coach

The Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) has appointed Raheem Morris as the team’s new head coach, the organization announced onThursday.

Previously, the American football coach served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams from 2021 to 2023 and served as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011. Morris was also interim head coach of the Falcons in 2020.

He also was an assistant coach for the Falcons, the Buccaneers and Washington Redskins.

Morris will now report directly to owner Arthur Blank along with Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot.

In a release late Thursday evening, Morris was recruited as the franchise’s 19th head coach.

Arthur Blank said 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.

Blank said he believes his leadership skills have grown.

With 26 years of experience in the NFL, Raheem emerged from a field of excellent candidates and is the right leader to take our team into the future, Blank said.

Born on September 3, 1976, Morris graduated from Hofstra University in physical education in 1998. Before he played safety at Hofstra from 1994 to 1997.

The same year, he started his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Hofstra University.

Cornell University hired him as their defensive backs coach and special teams assistant in 1999. After 1999, he backed Hofstra as defensive backs coach.

Morris also spent time in 2001 as an intern with the New York Jets.