After it was announced that the Falcons had hired Morris as their next head coach, both Ramsey and Jones took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the move.
Not surprisingly, both said the Falcons have a great coach, and Ramsey even went so far as to say Morris was one of the best in the NFL.
Falcons got one of, if not the best coach in the NFL forreal! https://t.co/p24Q6U8aJv
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) January 25, 2024
Falcons got a great one💯 https://t.co/2frYP5lqDK
— Ernest Jones (@ernestjones53) January 25, 2024
The Falcons hired Morris as their next head coach, according to multiple reports Thursday. Morris, 47, was with the Falcons from 2015 to 2020, serving in various supporting roles on offense and defense.
He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2020 and served as interim coach after Dan Quinn was fired after a 0-5 start.
This is Morris’ second head coaching job since being hired to lead the Pirates in 2009. In three seasons with Tampa Bay, he had a 17:31 record and the team went 10-6 in 2010.
Morris has served as the Rams’ defensive coordinator since 2021 and won Super Bowl LVI with the club.
He also served as a quality control coach for the Pirates in 2002 when Tampa Bay defeated the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.
The Falcons interviewed 14 head coaching candidates, including Bill Belichick, Mike Vrabel and Jim Harbaugh.
The Atlanta Falcons hired Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as their new head coach on Thursday, according to multiple reports.
Falcons plan to hire Rams’ defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as their head coach, per sources. pic.twitter.com/qlz3PbgEtJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 25, 2024
His first head coaching stint was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011, going 17-31 over three seasons.
He held various other roles in Washington and Atlanta before taking over as Los Angeles’ defensive coordinator in 2021.
The Rams continued to have success, winning Super Bowl LVI in Morris’ first season as defensive coordinator.
Rams general manager Les Snead had some glowing words for Morris during the team’s postseason press conference Saturday, calling him a “very talented young man.”
Snead also offered enthusiastic support for the talent Morris would attract.
“I know this, he’ll be able to hire an unbelievable staff,”
Snead added.
“Every coach, who’s any good, who’s qualified, they’re going to want to work for Raheem, and I’m pretty sure there’ll be a lot of tampering charges because just about every player in the NFL is going to text him and want to come play for him. I’ll let the NFL handle that.”
Jalen Ramsey, All-Pro cornerback for the Miami Dolphins, illustrated Snead’s point when he reacted to Morris’ new job via social media:
It ain’t just me who thinks this lol… ask any player who has played for Rah! https://t.co/u8zrcZTgxz
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) January 25, 2024
It was the second surprise hire on Thursday, as the Panthers filled their head coaching opening with Buccaneers coordinator Dave Canales a few hours earlier.
Before doing the Falcons gig, Morris spoke with the Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, Panthers and Seattle Seahawks.
Belichick, 71, was reported only to have been interviewing with the Falcons. He had plenty of options after the Patriots, but only two NFL head coaching jobs: the Seahawks and the Commanders.
Morris is the fourth racial minority to become an NFL head coach in the 2024 cycle. Canales is Mexican American, while Morris, Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders and Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots are black.
Fans had this to say:
Congrats to a great coach!!
— Jerry Guevara (@ogadaboo) January 25, 2024
Let’s freaking Go!!!!
So happy for my guy! https://t.co/rfcJMds0i7— Andrew Whitworth (@AndrewWhitworth) January 25, 2024
It feels like the right man for the Rams’ DC job could be Brandon Staley. There would be immediate continuity with the scheme and success has been had with him in the building.
But, it’s definitely worth looking elsewhere. Doesn’t seem like Staley is going anywhere anytime soon.
— Rams Brothers (@RamsBrothers) January 25, 2024
Falcons fans thinking they're getting Belichick vs. Falcons fans now pic.twitter.com/rm20iTaEbD
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick after not getting the Falcons job: pic.twitter.com/62jwvAn5xS
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) January 25, 2024
Dude was their interim HC in 2020 and they opted not to keep him then, now they pick him over Belichick, Falcons so unserious.
— Jonathon (@JN_Steve_) January 25, 2024
NO BELICHICK??? pic.twitter.com/JJ9vhqrBa3
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick rn pic.twitter.com/JzlpjQC3Ym
— betway (@betwayusa) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick right now pic.twitter.com/iykbvsoGxh
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) January 25, 2024
Bill Belichick seeing everyone get hired but him pic.twitter.com/EYakJEDfYM
— Sourdeath Sam (@SourdeathSam) January 25, 2024
I’m actually done with this team. So many talented offensive minds and we go with our old interim coach that went 4-7? Rams don’t even have a top 15 defense….
— Lawson Forro (@Lawson4040) January 25, 2024
Falcons should put up a banner for interviewing 14 coaches — cause that’s about the only thing they’ll ever lead the league in..
— Kyle Austin (@kyledaustin) January 25, 2024
