The Atlanta Falcons named Raheem Morris as their interim head coach Monday. The defensive coordinator for the 0-5 team will replace Dan Quinn, who was fired after the Falcons’ sorry start.
We have named Raheem Morris Interim Head Coach.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 12, 2020
“Raheem is a strong leader and a talented coach that has adapted to a variety of roles since joining the Falcons in 2015,” said Falcons president and CEO Rich McKay in a statement. “He has experience as a head coach and has worked on both sides of the ball. We felt that combined with his connection to the players and coaching staff, which will be an important factor as we move forward in 2020, he was the right person to give this responsibility to.”
The decision is curious as Atlanta has allowed 161 points over its five losses, averaging giving up 32 points per game. Quinn was a defensive-minded coach and between Morris and himself, Atlanta’s defense never delivered/
Morris coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three seasons from 2009-11, with a 17-31 record.
He becomes the second Black coordinator to be named interim head coach in 2020. The Houston Texans promoted Romeo Crennel after firing Bill O’Brien last week.
Both Crennel and Morris stepped into difficult situations as each team was winless when they took over. Crennel led the Texans to victory in their first game with him as interim coach Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.