Raheem Morris, the New Falcons Head Coach, Examines the Relationship Between Sean McVay and Les Snead of the Rams
After concluding his interim tenure as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons in 2020, Raheem Morris acknowledged the need for personal growth but wasn’t certain about the direction to take. However, during his subsequent three-year role as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator, Morris gained clarity.
In his first season with the Rams, witnessing the collaborative dynamic between head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead as they secured a Super Bowl victory, left a profound impression on Morris. Despite having experience as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011, Morris found McVay and Snead’s partnership to be unlike any he had encountered before.
Upon his introduction to the Atlanta media on Monday, 11 days after officially being named the Falcons’ new head coach, Morris reflected on his coaching record, which includes a 21-38 overall record and a 4-7 mark as an interim with the Falcons in 2020.
While the Los Angeles defense he oversaw during the past season ranked in the middle of the pack statistically, Morris’s leadership qualities, characterized by infectious energy and passion, have garnered praise, with many believing he possesses the intangible qualities necessary for success as a head coach.
Now, Morris believes he has found the missing piece to his coaching success: effective communication and collaboration, exemplified by McVay and Snead. He emphasized the maturity and learning experiences derived from observing their relationship, even during challenging times.
During his introductory press conference, Morris emphasized the importance of collaboration, a theme he reiterated repeatedly. He highlighted the burgeoning relationship with Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, noting their frequent communication, including early morning texts and regular FaceTime calls. Remarkably, Morris and Fontenot had never met before Morris’s initial Zoom interview on January 20.
However, Morris now recognizes that the relationship between himself and Fontenot will be crucial in leading Atlanta back to the postseason for the first time since 2017. He attributes much of his newfound perspective to the influence of McVay and Snead.
“There’s nothing more fulfilling than contributing to the success of one of your closest friends, someone you deeply care about, and helping them win a championship with an organization,” Morris expressed. “Having the opportunity to apply all those lessons learned, the importance of listening and effective communication, and now bringing them back to the Atlanta community to pursue our goals, I’m confident that we can achieve success with the team we have here.”
Morris and the Falcons are not slated to face the Rams until 2025, providing Morris with an opportunity to outwit his influential mentor.
