The Atlanta Falcons have taken a tough turn in their search for a coach.
The Falcons hired Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to fill their head coaching vacancy despite interviewing twice with Bill Belichick.
The Falcons officially announced the deal late Thursday.
“Today is a historic day for the Atlanta Falcons. After a comprehensive search, we are thrilled to welcome Raheem Morris to Atlanta as the team's new head coach,” team owner Arthur Blank said. said in a statement. “I have 26 years of experience in the NFL, including the last three with an outstanding organization that won league championships during that time.
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris answers questions from the media after minicamp at the California Lutheran University team facility on June 8, 2022 in Thousand Oaks, California. (Jane Kamin Onsia/Getty Images)
“Raheem emerged from a pool of excellent candidates and is the right leader to lead our team into the future. Many things have helped him develop into an even more prepared coach in all aspects of the game. His leadership skills have grown and he has worked hard to build a highly collaborative one-team culture. I think there is now a much greater understanding of what is needed at this level.
Morris has been in Southern California for the 2021 season, winning a Super Bowl in his first season there. From 2015 he held multiple positions until 2020 before returning to Atlanta.
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Many thought the Falcons would bring in Belichick because the Falcons seem to fit the mold of what Belichick reportedly wants: an up-and-coming team. They have QB issues, but that doesn't mean they could trade either the No. 1 pick (probably Caleb Williams) or their current QB, Justin Fields, to the Chicago Bears.
It's a very important hub for Atlanta.
ESPN reported earlier Thursday that Belichick is not the Falcons' successor.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before a game against the Atlanta Falcons. (Simon Brutie/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
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“They did their second in-person interview last Friday,” Adam Schefter said Thursday on ESPN's “The Get Up.” “Since then, the Falcons have cycled through a series of candidates for second and other interviews and have scheduled further meetings with other candidates.
“It doesn't sound like the team is ready to take Bill Belichick. … If the attitude is wide open after meeting with Bill Belichick twice, it certainly means he's not the favorite for the job.” It shows that there is no.”
Now, it's clear Atlanta had another guy in mind.
Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris stands on the sideline during a 34-14 victory over the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Harry Howe/Getty Images)
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This will be Morris' second head coaching position in the NFL. He was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011.
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