Raheem Morris, the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator, has joined the list of candidates who have interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons for the role of head coach. Morris conducted a virtual interview on Saturday, making him the tenth contender to succeed Arthur Smith, who was sacked after his third consecutive seven-win season. Four of the contenders, Morris, Bill Belichick, Jim Harbaugh, and Steve Wilks, have prior NFL head-coaching experience.
The Falcons interviewed Belichick for the second time on Friday. According to various reports, the Falcons are the fifth team to set an interview with Morris, after the Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Morris, 47, has served as the Rams’ defensive coordinator for the previous three years. He was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011. He also served as temporary head coach after Dan Quinn was fired by the Atlanta Falcons in 2020. Morris began working for the Falcons in 2015 as the passing game coordinator, wide receivers coach, defensive coordinator, and assistant head coach. He won two Super Bowls with the 2021 Rams and the 2002 Buccaneers.
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Will Raheem Morris become a unique two-time hire for the same team?
The Atlanta Falcons do not need to interview Raheem Morris to get to know him; nevertheless, they must interview him if Morris is to be their next head coach. Though Morris is not among the top three highest-profile coaches linked to the Falcons in this process, the Rams defensive coordinator spoke with his old team on Saturday and, as a result, most likely believes he has a shot to land in Atlanta.
Again.
Morris was hired by Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn in 2015, after previously served as an assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator. He subsequently spent the next four seasons as receivers coach, with three of those years as offensive pass game coordinator. Quinn handed over defensive coordinator duties to Morris in 2020, and Morris became temporary head coach after Quinn was dismissed after a 0-5 start.
In 11 games as head coach, Morris led the Falcons to a 4-7 record.
The franchise hired Arthur Smith in 2021, but is now looking back at the head coaching market, including Morris. His chances of getting the job don’t appear high if you judge Atlanta by how many big names they’ve been linked to: The Falcons have already interviewed Bill Belichick twice, interviewed and scheduled a second meeting with Jim Harbaugh, and plan to speak with Mike Vrabel next week.
That’s a six-time Super Bowl winner, the reigning national champion, and a highly regarded coach who has been with the Titans for the past six years.
In addition, the Falcons have conducted interviews with Steve Wilks, Mike Macdonald, Ejiro Evero, Brian Callahan, Aaron Glenn, and Anthony Weaver. They plan to also question Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
It is not Morris’ only opportunity. He is also scheduled to speak with the Chargers on Saturday.
