Bill Belichick, widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, has been snubbed by all seven teams in need of a head coach this offseason. Despite his impressive track record, it seems that Belichick’s recent split with the New England Patriots has left him without any job prospects for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons have filled their head coaching vacancy by hiring Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
Belichick, who interviewed twice for the Falcons’ head coaching position, was initially considered a front-runner for the job. However, the team ultimately chose Morris, who had previously served as their interim head coach in 2020. Morris, at the age of 32, led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 17-31 record over three seasons as their head coach from 2009-2011. He then joined the Rams and played a crucial role in leading their defense to become one of the best in the NFL.
The Falcons conducted an extensive search, interviewing a total of 15 candidates before settling on Morris. Among those interviewed were former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, and Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. Ultimately, it was Morris who impressed the Falcons’ organization the most and secured the position.
Morris will now take charge of an Atlanta team that showed significant improvement on defense last season, jumping from 27th to 11th in total defense. The team also boasts a talented offense, with young stars at running back, wide receiver, and tight end. However, Morris’s biggest challenge will be finding a solution at quarterback, as the Falcons struggled to find a long-term option last season.
In a statement, Morris expressed his excitement about returning to Atlanta and leading the Falcons. He acknowledged the organization’s first-class reputation and the importance of the team to the city and its fans. He also expressed gratitude to the Rams organization for the opportunity and experience he gained while working with them.
Morris’s hiring is significant as he becomes the first non-interim black head coach in Falcons franchise history. He joins a group of six new head coaches hired this offseason, including Dave Canales, who was hired by the Panthers, and Jim Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL as the Chargers’ head coach. Additionally, the Patriots replaced Belichick with Jerod Mayo, their former linebackers coach.
While Belichick’s future in coaching remains uncertain, it is clear that his absence from the sidelines will be felt. With 302 wins under his belt, Belichick is closing in on Don Shula’s all-time wins record of 328. However, it seems that Belichick will have to wait at least another season to continue his pursuit of that milestone.
As the NFL offseason progresses and teams finalize their coaching staffs, it will be interesting to see how Belichick’s absence and Morris’s appointment impact the league. The Falcons will be hoping that Morris can lead them back to the playoffs after a six-season drought, while Belichick’s next move remains a mystery. Regardless, the upcoming season promises to be an exciting one for football fans.
