The Atlanta Falcons decided to hire Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to be the team’s next head coach, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The team interviewed former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick twice. They also interviewed former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel on Wednesday.
Just over an hour before the news of Morris’ hiring, the Falcons’ official team account posted on X (formerly known as Twitter): “We have completed a second interview with Texans Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik.”
ESPN reported earlier this week that the team wanted to have second interviews with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, but the in-person meetings had to occur after the NFC Championship Game. Instead, they’ve opted to hire Morris, a well-respected defensive mind.
Raheem Morris Gets a Second Shot
Morris was hired in 2009 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach after being a defensive assistant with the organization for six seasons. He was fired after three seasons with a 17-31 record, even though the Buccaneers went 10-6 in his second year.
In 2015, after a few years in Washington as an assistant, Morris moved to Atlanta to be an associate head coach. He went 4-7 as an interim head coach in 2020 after the Falcons fired Dan Quinn. Morris was the defensive coordinator for the Rams for the last three seasons.
Amazon Prime analyst Richard Sherman posted his approval of the hire.
Great hire for the @AtlantaFalcons! Congrats to Raheem Morris. Looking forward to seeing him have succsss there.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 25, 2024
ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III posted, “Raheem Morris is the @AtlantaFalcons new Head Coach and his story is one of perseverance. He spent 13 years coaching on both sides of the ball after his last full time head coaching opportunity and embodies what it means to never give up on your dreams. His players will love him.”
Jourdan Rodrigue, a Rams reporter for The Athletic, posted about how the team viewed Morris:
The swell of voices – Rams players, coaches, and execs plus their opponents – advocating for Raheem Morris’ readiness for this has been steady over the last couple years, and especially this offseason. McVay’s No. 1 guy in the building will be hard to replace. https://t.co/VA0f3791Wt
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 25, 2024
Others were excited about how Morris could use the team’s first-round pick.
Arthur Smith seeing Raheem Morris correctly utilize Bijan Robinson
— Bookmakers Review (@BMRReviews) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick Passed Over for Falcons Job
Many considered Belichick the favorite to be the next Falcons head coach. Atlanta put an end to that idea on Thursday.
Naturally, social media exploded with reactions from around the football world that Belichick didn’t get the job.
FOX Sports’ David Helman posted: “Of the 30 current NFL head coaches, 18 weren’t born the last time Bill Belichick didn’t have a job coaching in the league.”
“This Is Football” podcast host Kevin Clark posted: “Bill Belichick, get ready to learn how to read the gambling podcast ad disclaimer buddy.”
MORE: 2024 Head Coach Interview Tracker
Some wondered if Belichick’s Super Bowl win over the Falcons hurt his chances.
Belichick: “Was it the 28-3 thing?” https://t.co/FdYATOz262 pic.twitter.com/6832rU7Tqu
— Eric Fisher (@ericfisher) January 25, 2024
Some speculated about future opportunities for Belichick.
The world isn’t ready for me to lead Navy to the College Football Playoff under Head Coach Bill Belichick. pic.twitter.com/OaMqn9g3qj
— NFL Fashion Advice (@fashion_nfl) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick leaving Cancun to fill the Eagles or Cowboys job in 2025 pic.twitter.com/yVAPLNdF0M
— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) January 25, 2024
Until Belichick decides where to take his talents, his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history will be accentuated by the humorous speculation.
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