Raheem Morris facts for kids
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Morris with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024
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| Atlanta Falcons | |
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| Position: | Head coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | September 3, 1976 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Irvington (Irvington, New Jersey) |
| College: | Hofstra (1994–1997) |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | 29–47 (.382) |
| Coaching stats at PFR | |
Raheem Morris was born on September 3, 1976. He is an American professional football coach. Currently, he is the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League (NFL).
Before joining the Falcons, Morris was the head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011. He also served as an interim (temporary) head coach for the Falcons in 2020. Morris has also been an assistant coach for other teams. These include the Kansas State Wildcats, Washington Redskins, and Los Angeles Rams.
Raheem Morris's Coaching Journey
Starting in College Football
Raheem Morris finished college at Hofstra University in 1998. He studied Physical Education. While at Hofstra, he played as a safety on the football team from 1994 to 1997.
Right after graduating, he started his coaching career at Hofstra. He worked as a graduate assistant coach. His job was to help coach the offensive scout team. He also prepared scouting reports and analyzed game videos.
In 1999, Morris moved to Cornell University. There, he coached the defensive backs and helped with special teams. The next year, he returned to Hofstra to coach defensive backs again. In 2001, he also spent some time as an intern with the New York Jets.
First Time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Before the 2002 football season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Morris. He became their defensive quality control coach. In this role, he helped the team's defense become the best in the league.
That year, the Buccaneers won their first-ever Super Bowl. They defeated the Oakland Raiders 48–21 in Super Bowl XXXVII. In 2003, Morris became a defensive assistant coach. From 2004 to 2005, he was the assistant defensive backs coach. After the 2005 season, Morris left to join Kansas State.
Time with Kansas State
Morris spent one season with the Kansas State Wildcats. This was in 2006. He worked as the defensive coordinator under head coach Ron Prince.
Morris helped improve the defense in many areas. These included overall defense, points allowed, and pass defense. He also helped the Wildcats achieve a big win. They upset the #4 ranked Texas Longhorns during the 2006 season.
Return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Before the 2007 season, Morris went back to the Buccaneers. He became their defensive backs coach. The team's pass defense had been ranked 19th in 2006. With Morris's help, it became the top-ranked pass defense in the league in 2007.
Becoming a Head Coach
In December 2008, it was announced that Morris would become the Buccaneers' defensive coordinator for the 2009 season. This happened after Monte Kiffin decided to leave the team.
Just one month later, on January 16, 2009, the Buccaneers fired their head coach, Jon Gruden. Raheem Morris was then named the team's new head coach. Morris had also interviewed for the head coach position with the Denver Broncos.
Morris's first season as head coach started with seven losses. However, he earned his first win in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers. On November 24, 2009, Morris also took over the defensive coordinator duties. He finished his first year with a 3–13 record. The team placed last in the NFC South division.
In his second season, the team improved greatly. They finished with a 10–6 record. They just barely missed making the playoffs. This seven-game improvement was the best in the team's history. In 2010, Morris became the first coach since 1970 to start at least 10 rookie players and still have a winning record.
During Week 13 of the 2011 NFL season, the Buccaneers played the Carolina Panthers. Morris sent defensive tackle Brian Price to the sideline. Price had pushed a Panthers player after a play. This resulted in a penalty against the Buccaneers. Morris was very upset because the penalty helped the Panthers score a touchdown. Morris called Price's actions "foolish" and "selfish" after the game.
On January 2, 2012, Morris was fired as the Buccaneers' head coach. This happened after a 4–12 season. The team had lost their last 10 games that year.
Coaching for the Washington Redskins
On January 11, 2012, Morris was hired by the Washington Redskins. He became their defensive backs coach. He held this position until the end of the 2014 season.
First Time with the Atlanta Falcons
On January 26, 2015, it was announced that Morris was joining the Atlanta Falcons. He became their assistant head coach and defensive backs coach. On January 25, 2016, his role changed. He became the wide receivers coach and offensive pass game coordinator.
In the 2016 season, Morris and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI. They played against the New England Patriots on February 5, 2017. In the Super Bowl, the Falcons lost in overtime with a score of 34–28.
On November 4, 2019, Morris was moved back to coaching the secondary (defensive backs). On December 27, 2019, he was promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2020 NFL season.
On October 12, 2020, Morris was promoted again. He became the interim head coach. This happened after the previous head coach, Dan Quinn, was fired. The team had started the season with zero wins and five losses. Under Morris, the Falcons finished with a 4–7 record. Their overall season record was 4–12, placing them fourth in the NFC South.
Time with the Los Angeles Rams
On January 21, 2021, Morris was hired by the Los Angeles Rams. He became their defensive coordinator under head coach Sean McVay. On February 13, 2022, Morris won his second Super Bowl. The Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20 in Super Bowl LVI.
Second Time with the Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons interviewed several coaches for their head coach position. These included Morris, Bill Belichick, Jim Harbaugh, and Mike Vrabel. On January 25, 2024, the Falcons hired Raheem Morris as their new head coach.
The Falcons finished the 2024 season second in the NFC South. They had an 8–9 record. Morris received some criticism for his time management during games, especially in a game against Washington.
Raheem Morris's Head Coaching Record
| 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 | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 | 2nd in NFC South | – | – | – | – |
| ATL Total | 12 | 16 | 0 | .429 | — | — | — | — | ||
| Total | 29 | 47 | 0 | .382 | — | — | — | — | ||
* Interim head coach
