Raheem Morris names Atlanta Falcons head coach

After interviewing around a dozen candidates, the Atlanta Falcons have hired their next head coach, Raheem Morris.

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Update 8:56 p.m. EST Jan. 25: The Atlanta Falcons confirmed Thursday night on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Raheem Morris will be their next head coach.

“Got Heem,” the team tweeted.

“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 from the team.

“We know from firsthand experience what a first-class organization Atlanta is 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.

“I can’t thank the Rams organization enough for the experience and opportunity with the team. From the Kroenke family, Kevin Demoff, Les Snead, Sean McVay and the entire staff, the Rams are a first-class organization all around. We loved our time in L.A., loved the fans and know the Rams continue to have a very bright future.”

Original story: A person familiar with the decision has told the Associated Press that Raheem Morris and the Atlanta Falcons reached an agreement for Morris to become their next head coach. The Falcons reportedly passed on hiring former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Belichick was a six-time Super Bowl winner.

The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity since the team has not yet made the announcement.

The team had interviewed about a dozen candidates, according to the NFL. Morris will replace Arthur Smith. Smith was fired after three straight 7-10 seasons.

Morris will become the first Black full-time head coach in Falcons’ history, WSB-TV reported.

Morris, 47, has been with the Los Angeles Rams as a defensive coordinator for the last three years, according to WSB-TV.

He previously was with the Falcons as a coach from 2015 to 2020, according to the news outlet. He became interim head coach in 2020 after former head coach Dan Quinn was fired.

This will be Morris’ second time as a head coach. He was a head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011, WSB-TV reported. He was 32 when he became head coach, one of the youngest head coaches in NFL history.

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