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Raheem Morris

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Raheem Morris
refer to caption
Morris with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024
Atlanta Falcons
Position:Head coach
Personal information
Born: (1976-09-03) September 3, 1976 (age 48)
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Career information
High school:Irvington (Irvington, New Jersey)
College:Hofstra (1994–1997)
Career history
As a coach:
  • Hofstra (1998)
    Graduate assistant
  • Cornell (1999)
    Defensive backs coach
  • Hofstra (2000–2001)
    Defensive backs coach
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002)
    Defensive quality control coach
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2003)
    Defensive assistant
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2004–2005)
    Assistant defensive backs coach
  • Kansas State (2006)
    Defensive coordinator
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2007–2008)
    Defensive backs coach
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009–2011)
    Head coach
  • Washington Redskins (2012–2014)
    Defensive backs coach
  • Atlanta Falcons (2015)
    Assistant head coach, defensive backs coach, & defensive pass game coordinator
  • Atlanta Falcons (2016–2019)
    Assistant head coach, wide receivers coach, & offensive pass game coordinator
  • Atlanta Falcons (2020)
    Defensive coordinator
  • Atlanta Falcons (2020)
    Interim head coach
  • Los Angeles Rams (2021–2023)
    Defensive coordinator
  • Atlanta Falcons (2024–present)
    Head coach
Career highlights and awards
As a coach
Head coaching record
Regular season:27–41 (.397)
Record at Pro Football Reference

Raheem Morris (born September 3, 1976) is an American professional football coach who is the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011 and interim head coach of the Falcons in 2020. Morris also was an assistant coach for the Kansas State Wildcats, Washington Redskins, and Los Angeles Rams.

Coaching career

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Early years

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Morris graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in Physical Education in 1998 after playing safety at Hofstra from 1994 to 1997.[1] That same year he began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Hofstra University, where he was responsible for coaching the offensive scout team, developing scouting reports and handling video breakdown and computer input and analysis. In 1999, he was hired by Cornell University as their defensive backs coach and special teams assistant. After 1999, he returned to Hofstra as defensive backs coach. He also spent time in 2001 as an intern with the New York Jets.[2]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first stint)

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Before the 2002 season, Morris was hired by the Buccaneers to become their defensive quality control coach, where he helped them have the top-ranked defense and win the franchise's first ever Super Bowl, beating the Oakland Raiders 48–21 in Super Bowl XXXVII.[3] In 2003, he became a defensive assistant. From 2004 to 2005 he was the assistant defensive backs coach. After 2005 he went to Kansas State to be their defensive coordinator.

Kansas State

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Morris spent one season with the Kansas State Wildcats in 2006, as defensive coordinator under then-head coach Ron Prince.[4] He helped the defense in several statistical categories including total defense, scoring defense and pass defense, and aided the Wildcats in their upset of the #4 Texas Longhorns during the 2006 season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (second stint)

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Before the 2007 season, Morris returned to the Buccaneers to be their defensive backs coach, replacing Greg Burns. After the team's pass defense fell to 19th in 2006, Morris helped the pass defense achieve the league's top ranking in 2007.

Head coach

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In December 2008, it was announced that Morris would take over as defensive coordinator for the Buccaneers for the 2009 season after Monte Kiffin announced that he would be leaving the team to join his son, Lane Kiffin, at Tennessee.[5] Just a month later on January 16, 2009, head coach Jon Gruden was fired by the Buccaneers and Morris was named the team's head coach.[6] Morris had also interviewed for head coach with the Denver Broncos before being hired by Tampa Bay.[7]

After starting the season 0–7, Morris earned his first victory as a head coach in week 9 against the Green Bay Packers. On November 24, 2009, Morris took over defensive coordinator duties after relieving Jim Bates of his duties.[8] He finished his first year as the head coach, leading the team to last in the NFC South with a 3–13 record. In his second season, the team finished 10–6, barely missing the playoffs. That seven game turnaround was the best in franchise history. In 2010, Morris became the first coach since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger to start at least 10 rookies and finish with a winning record.[9]

During Week 13 of the 2011 NFL season, against the Carolina Panthers, Morris banished defensive tackle Brian Price to the sideline after Price shoved Panthers guard Mackenzy Bernadeau well after the end of a third-quarter play in which Cam Newton was sacked for a four-yard loss.[10] Price was penalized for unnecessary roughness. Morris was incensed because the sack would have forced the Panthers into a 3rd-and-14 situation. However, the resulting 15-yard penalty gave the Panthers a first down, allowing them to complete a touchdown drive that put the game out of reach (the Panthers won 38–19).[11] After the game, a visibly angry Morris called Price's actions "foolish" and "selfish." The move drew comparisons to then San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary banishing Vernon Davis from the sideline after a personal foul in 2008.[12] On January 2, 2012, Morris was fired as head coach of the Buccaneers after a 4–12 season, including losing their last 10 games.[13]

Washington Redskins

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On January 11, 2012, Morris was hired by the Washington Redskins as their defensive backs coach.[14]

Atlanta Falcons

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Morris with the Atlanta Falcons in 2015

On January 26, 2015, it was announced Morris was joining the Atlanta Falcons as assistant head coach/defensive backs.[15] On January 25, 2016, Morris was named the wide receivers coach and no longer the defensive backs coach.[16]

In the 2016 season, Morris and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI, where they faced the New England Patriots on February 5, 2017. In the Super Bowl, the Falcons fell in a 34–28 overtime defeat.[17]

On November 4, 2019, Morris was reassigned to secondary coach.[18]

On December 27, 2019, Morris was promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2020 NFL season.[19]

On October 12, 2020, Morris was promoted to interim head coach, following the firing of Dan Quinn after an 0–5 start to the season.[20] The Falcons finished with a 4–7 record under Morris but finished 4–12 overall and fourth in the NFC South.[21]

Los Angeles Rams

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On January 21, 2021, Morris was hired by the Los Angeles Rams as defensive coordinator under head coach Sean McVay, replacing Brandon Staley, who left to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.[22] On February 13, 2022, Morris won his second Super Bowl as the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.[23]

Atlanta Falcons (second stint)

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On January 25, 2024, Morris was hired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons over the likes of Bill Belichick, Jim Harbaugh, and Mike Vrabel. [24][25]

Head coaching record

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Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
TB 2009 3 13 0 .188 4th in NFC South — — — —
TB 2010 10 6 0 .625 3rd in NFC South — — — —
TB 2011 4 12 0 .250 4th in NFC South — — — —
TB Total 17 31 0 .354 — — — —
ATL* 2020 4 7 0 .364 4th in NFC South — — — —
ATL 2024 6 3 0 .667 TBD – – – –
ATL Total 10 10 0 .500 — — — —
Total 26 41 0 .379 — — — —

* Interim head coach

References

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  1. ^ "Hofstra Alum Raheem Morris Named Head Coach Of NFL's Atlanta Falcons". Hofstra University Athletics. January 26, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  2. ^ Esden Jr., Paul (January 22, 2022). "Former Jets Intern Lands NFL Head Coaching Interview". Heavy.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  3. ^ Kendall, Josh (February 5, 2024). "Falcons introduce Raheem Morris: 6 takeaways, including owner's absence and Super Bowl talk". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  4. ^ Teope, Herbie (December 23, 2020). "Falcons' Raheem Morris preparing for Chiefs and fondly recalling time at Kansas State". Kansas City Star. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  5. ^ "Morris to replace Kiffin as Bucs D-coordinator". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 25, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "Morris in, Gruden out". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 17, 2009. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  7. ^ Williamson, Bill (January 5, 2009). "Bucs' D-coordinator Morris meets with Broncos". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  8. ^ "Bucs coach Morris demotes Bates, takes over defensive play-calling". NFL.com. November 24, 2009. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  9. ^ http://www.pewterreport.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=6650:mccoy-reflects-on-rookie-season-with-bucs&tmpl=component&print=1
  10. ^ Yasinskas, Pat (December 5, 2011). "Bucs' Morris sent DT Price home after penalty". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  11. ^ Cummings, Roy. On the Skids. The Tampa Tribune, December 5, 2011.
  12. ^ Davis, Nate. Buccaneers' Raheem Morris blows fuse after loss to Panthers. USA Today, December 5, 2011.
  13. ^ "Bucs fire coach Raheem Morris". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 2, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  14. ^ "Redskins hire Raheem Morris to be defensive backs coach - The Washington Post". The Washington Post.
  15. ^ "Raheem Morris, Smith to join Falcons". ESPN.com. January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  16. ^ McClure, Vaughn (January 24, 2016). "Falcons set to move assistant head coach Raheem Morris from defense to offense". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  17. ^ "Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  18. ^ McFadden, Will (November 4, 2019). "Falcons announce trio of coaching changes". Atlanta Falcons. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  19. ^ Rael, James (January 2, 2020). "How long until Raheem Morris gets serious looks from teams in search of a new head coach?". The Falcoholic. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  20. ^ McClure, Vaughn (October 12, 2020). "Falcons elevate DC Morris to interim head coach". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  21. ^ "2020 Atlanta Falcons Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  22. ^ Jackson, Stu (January 21, 2021). "Rams agree to terms with Raheem Morris to be team's new defensive coordinator". www.therams.com. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  23. ^ "Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals - February 13th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  24. ^ Waack, Terrin (January 25, 2024). "Raheem Morris named head coach of the Atlanta Falcons". atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  25. ^ "Falcons announce second completed interview with Bill Belichick". Atlanta Falcons. January 20, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
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