Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Raheem Morris

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Raheem Morris made an impact.

Raheem Morris is an American professional football coach currently serving as the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons. He has prior head coaching experience with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009-2011) and as the interim head coach for the Falcons in 2020. Before his head coaching roles, Morris served as an assistant coach for several teams, including the Kansas State Wildcats, Washington Redskins, and Los Angeles Rams, gaining experience at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1994: Played safety at Hofstra

Raheem Morris played safety at Hofstra from 1994 to 1997.

1998: Graduation from Hofstra University

In 1998, Raheem Morris graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in Physical Education. He also began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Hofstra University that same year.

1999: Hired by Cornell University

In 1999, Raheem Morris was hired by Cornell University as their defensive backs coach and special teams assistant.

2001: Internship with the New York Jets

In 2001, Raheem Morris spent time as an intern with the New York Jets.

2002: Hired by the Buccaneers

In 2002, Raheem Morris was hired by the Buccaneers as their defensive quality control coach, contributing to their top-ranked defense and Super Bowl XXXVII victory.

2003: Defensive Assistant for the Buccaneers

In 2003, Raheem Morris became a defensive assistant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2004: Assistant Defensive Backs Coach

From 2004 to 2005, Raheem Morris served as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2005: Departure to Kansas State

After 2005, Raheem Morris left the Buccaneers to become the defensive coordinator at Kansas State.

2006: Defensive Coordinator at Kansas State

In 2006, Raheem Morris served as the defensive coordinator for the Kansas State Wildcats, contributing to improvements in various defensive statistics and an upset victory over the #4 Texas Longhorns.

2007: Returned to the Buccaneers

Before the 2007 season, Raheem Morris returned to the Buccaneers to be their defensive backs coach, helping the pass defense achieve the league's top ranking.

December 2008: Named Defensive Coordinator for the Buccaneers

In December 2008, Raheem Morris was announced as the defensive coordinator for the Buccaneers for the 2009 season, succeeding Monte Kiffin.

January 16, 2009: Named Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On January 16, 2009, Raheem Morris was named the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after Jon Gruden was fired.

November 24, 2009: Morris Takes Over Defensive Coordinator Duties

On November 24, 2009, Raheem Morris took over defensive coordinator duties for the Buccaneers after relieving Jim Bates.

2009: Head Coach of Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In 2009, Raheem Morris became the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL.

2010: Seven-Game Turnaround

In 2010, the Buccaneers, led by Raheem Morris, achieved a 10-6 record after a previous losing season. Morris became the first coach since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger to start at least 10 rookies and finish with a winning record.

2011: End of Tenure as Buccaneers Head Coach

Raheem Morris served as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers until 2011.

January 2, 2012: Firing as Head Coach of the Buccaneers

On January 2, 2012, Raheem Morris was fired as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a 4–12 season, which included losing their last 10 games.

January 11, 2012: Hired by the Washington Redskins

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

2014: End of Redskins Tenure

Raheem Morris' tenure as the defensive backs coach for the Washington Redskins ended at the end of the 2014 season.

January 26, 2015: Joins Atlanta Falcons Coaching Staff

On January 26, 2015, Raheem Morris joined the Atlanta Falcons as the assistant head coach/defensive backs coach.

January 25, 2016: Named Wide Receivers Coach

On January 25, 2016, Raheem Morris was named the wide receivers coach for the Atlanta Falcons, transitioning from his previous role as defensive backs coach.

2016: Reached Super Bowl LI

In the 2016 season, Raheem Morris and the Atlanta Falcons reached Super Bowl LI.

February 5, 2017: Super Bowl LI

On February 5, 2017, the Atlanta Falcons, with Raheem Morris as part of the coaching staff, faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI and suffered a 34–28 overtime defeat.

November 4, 2019: Reassigned to Secondary Coach

On November 4, 2019, Raheem Morris was reassigned to secondary coach for the Atlanta Falcons.

December 27, 2019: Promoted to Defensive Coordinator

On December 27, 2019, Raheem Morris was promoted to defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons for the 2020 NFL season.

October 12, 2020: Promoted to Interim Head Coach

On October 12, 2020, Raheem Morris was promoted to interim head coach of the Atlanta Falcons after Dan Quinn was fired.

2020: Interim Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons

In 2020, Raheem Morris served as the interim head coach for the Atlanta Falcons.

2020: Defensive Coordinator for Atlanta Falcons

In 2020, Raheem Morris was the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.

January 21, 2021: Hired by Los Angeles Rams

On January 21, 2021, Raheem Morris was hired by the Los Angeles Rams as their defensive coordinator.

February 13, 2022: Super Bowl LVI victory

On February 13, 2022, Raheem Morris won his second Super Bowl as the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20 in Super Bowl LVI.

January 25, 2024: Hired as Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons

On January 25, 2024, after interviewing with several candidates, the Atlanta Falcons hired Raheem Morris as their head coach. The Falcons finished the 2024 season with an 8-9 record.