Raheem Morris discovered Jalen is not his son.
Raheem Morris, the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, has confirmed that Jalen is not his biological son.
Raheem Morris, the first former NFL head coach owner Arthur Blank has hired in his more than 20 years in Atlanta, was named the team’s coach on Thursday. In the history of the team, he is also the first black head coach to be employed full-time.
In a statement, Blank remarked, “This is a historic day for the Atlanta Falcons.” “We are ecstatic to have Raheem Morris rejoin the Atlanta Falcons as head coach.” Raheem is the ideal leader to guide our team into the future, having emerged from a pool of outstanding applicants.
“He has gained a better perspective on a variety of topics during his stay in Los Angeles, including personnel, club operations, game planning, working with a superb offensive staff, and many other things that have helped him become an even more capable coach overall. His grasp of what it takes to establish a highly collaborative one-team culture has advanced, and I think that his leadership abilities have improved.”
Morris was chosen following a thorough search that yielded 14 candidates, including former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel.
Morris had a second interview with the club, along with four other coaches. Belichick, Bobby Slowik, the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, and Ejiro Evero, the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, were the others. The only team that Belichick is known to have interviewed with, and they chose to go in a different way, is the Falcons.
Morris, who served as Atlanta’s interim coach for 11 games in 2020 after Dan Quinn was fired midway through the season, is making a return to Flowery Branch, Georgia, with this. Despite going 4–7, Morris did not receive a full-time position. Arthur Smith was hired by the Falcons instead.
Morris will now work as the team’s full-time coach after Morris was fired by the team on January 8th, following Smith’s 21–30 record in his three seasons.
Morris released a statement saying, “I am pleased for the opportunity for my family and I to return to Atlanta as the Falcons head coach.” “We have firsthand knowledge of Atlanta’s exceptional organization and the significance of this team to the community and its supporters. I am immensely grateful to Arthur Blank for his guidance and that the entire business has placed its faith in me to assist in leading this group.”
Morris, 47, won a Super Bowl in 2021 while serving as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams for the previous three seasons.
His first full-time NFL head coaching position was with Tampa Bay from 2009 to 2011, during which he went 17–31 in three seasons. This will be his second stint in that role.
After that, Morris worked as the defensive backs coach for Washington from 2012 to 2014 before making his NFL debut in 2015 as the defensive pass game coordinator. From 2016 to 2019, he also served as the receivers coach for the Falcons and was Atlanta’s assistant head coach.
After Quinn was fired, he was elevated to the position of interim head coach and became the Falcons’ defensive coordinator in 2020.
“I adore it! Have nothing but pleasant memories with Rah leading the way,” Falcons fullback Keith Smith texted ESPN. “Consider that his familiarity with the organization is a plug-and-play benefit.”
A.J. Terrell, a cornerback, defensive lineman Grady Jarrett, and second-team All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III make up Morris’ defense. He also gains skillful offensive players, such as tight end Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London, running backs Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson, and two offensive linemen, left tackle Jake Matthews and right guard Chris Lindstrom, who were with Atlanta during his previous assignment.
In a statement, general manager Terry Fontenot stated, “I’m beyond delighted to work side-by-side with Raheem to deliver a championship to Atlanta.” “I can’t wait to work with Raheem and have his energy in our building. He is the perfect fit for our team, culture, and shared vision for success in Atlanta.”
Unlike under the previous setup, Fontenot and Morris will report directly to Blank rather than CEO Rich McKay. McKay will continue to serve as the team’s representative on the NFL competition committee and in league affairs as an employee of AMB Sports & Entertainment. As the team president, Greg Beadles continues to be in charge of day-to-day operations.
Although many believed McKay had ceased to have daily input, it was stated during the Jan. 8 news conference announcing Smith’s termination. Smith and Fontenot were reportedly spoken to by McKay “25 times a week.”
Although McKay will “no longer be involved in day-to-day football operations,” according to Blank on Thursday, his role within Blank’s broader enterprises will grow, and he will join the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation board as an associate director.
Morris began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Hofstra University in Long Island, New York, where he played collegiate football after growing up in New Jersey. After serving as the defensive backs coach at Cornell in 1999, he returned to Hofstra in 2000 and served as the position’s coach there until 2001. He then had his first NFL experience as a defensive assistant with the Buccaneers.
Morris’s first priority once he appoints his staff will be to assess the quarterback situation.Lesmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke are still with the team, but one of the things that contributed to Smith’s firing last season was Blank’s criticism of the team’s quarterback play, which he deemed “poor.”
Zac Robinson, the pass-game coordinator and coach of the Rams quarterbacks, is a strong contender to take over as Morris’ offensive coordinator in Atlanta, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Robinson will be a formidable contender for the O-coordinator position, but Morris likely wants to talk to several coaches about it.
