ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons have found their next head coach -- and it's a very familiar face.
The team announced on social media Thursday night it hired Raheem Morris as the franchise's next head coach.
Earlier on Thursday, 11Alive's Maria Martin confirmed the team was working toward a deal with the former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator for the team's top position.
Morris is someone who is very familiar with the Falcons, having spent six seasons with Atlanta from 2015 to 2020 in several different coaching roles, including assistant head coach and passing game coordinator. Morris served as the interim head coach after the Falcons fired Dan Quinn in 2020 and went 4-7 as interim.
Morris becomes the 19th head coach -- including interims -- for the Falcons and the first Black head coach in franchise history.
According to a press release by the Falcons, Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot will now report directly to team owner Arthur Blank "on all football matters." Many fans might remember that previous head coach Arthur Smith and Fontenot reported directly to Rich McKay -- a structure that now seems to have changed. McKay remains the team's CEO.
“This is a historic day for the Atlanta Falcons – after a comprehensive search we are thrilled to welcome Raheem Morris back to Atlanta as the team’s new head coach,” said Blank. “With 26 years of experience in the NFL, including the last three in an outstanding organization that has won our league’s championship in that time, Raheem emerged from a field of excellent candidates and is the right leader to take our team into the future. His time in LA has given him an enhanced perspective on everything from personnel, team operations, game planning, working with an outstanding offensive staff and many other things that has helped him develop into an even more prepared coach in all aspects of the game. I believe his leadership skills have grown and his understanding of what it takes to have a highly collaborative one-team culture are now at a much higher level.”
Morris also talked about what it meant for him to come back to Atlanta and be the team's full-time head coach.
“I am overjoyed for the opportunity for my family and I to return to Atlanta as the Falcons head coach,” said Morris. “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 LA, loved the fans and know the Rams continue to have a very bright future.”
On Saturday, Jan. 20, the Falcons said they completed a virtual interview with Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. On Jan. 23, the team said it completed a second interview with him. On Jan. 25, the Falcons made his hiring official.
“I’m beyond excited to work side-by-side with Raheem in bringing a championship to Atlanta,” said Fontenot. “We have conducted one of the most thorough and comprehensive searches and saw many incredible candidates through this process. Raheem is the right fit for our team, culture, and shared vision for success in Atlanta, and I cannot wait to start working with him and have his energy in our building.”
Two-time Pro Bowl Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is excited about the new opportunity to learn from Morris once again.
"We got the right guy to take us where we need to go, excited is an understatement I'm fired UP. Let's go!" he said to 11Alive's Maria Martin.
The Falcons were rumored to be in the mix for a number of head coaching candidates, including six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick. But in the end, Atlanta leaned toward hiring someone familiar with the organization.
The team tweeted out a video of Morris dancing at Flowery Branch back when he was with the Falcons.
Now ex-head coach Arthur Smith was fired earlier this month after a season-ending loss to the New Orleans Saints. Smith finished with a 7-10 record in three consecutive seasons with the team.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
Also download the 11Alive News mobile app and sign up to receive alerts for the latest on this story and other breaking news in Atlanta and north Georgia.