FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Raheem Morris is clear and direct in his approach. He knows he has a mission as the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons: to build a winning team, elevate expectations, and foster a culture that prioritizes people.

In his second chance as an NFL head coach, he definitely has something to prove.

“We can’t have ordinary actions and expect extraordinary relationships,” Morris stated during a 45-minute conversation with YSL News Sports at the Falcons’ facility. “I want to make this clear to all the players: our relationship won’t be average. It’s going to be unique and exceptional.”

Bold statements indeed.

If the goal is to win big, then this “different” approach has been a long time coming for a franchise that has seen six straight losing seasons. In fact, the excitement around the team has grown so much that season tickets are sold out for the first time in 20 years—raising expectations significantly.

Turning back to those relationships, Morris, at 47, places a strong emphasis on them.

During the second week of training camp, Falcons GM Terry Fontenot was startled awake around 4:30 AM by a buzz from his iPhone. It wasn’t just a regular call.

It was Morris, via FaceTime.

“I was in bed, thinking, ‘Who FaceTimes at this hour?’” Fontenot recounted to the media. “If you’re calling me at that time, it must be important. He was clearly eager about our practice plans and everything. It might have been around 5 AM, but he FaceTimed me anyway. That’s just who he is.”

Fontenot gets it. Morris, with his enthusiastic and charismatic coaching style, feels like a new family member. Together, they are both shouldering the responsibility of leading a franchise that has yet to claim a Super Bowl title (it came close a couple of times).

Morris’s direct approach is deeply rooted in his upbringing in Irvington, New Jersey.

“In my neighborhood, I was the one stirring the pot,” Morris shared. “I rooted for the Cowboys just to rile up the Giants fans.”

He sees cheering for the villain as refreshing. He jokingly notes that if he hadn’t become a coach, he might have thrived in a debate setting alongside personalities like Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith.

“I despised Michael Jordan because of his talent,” he confessed. “I didn’t appreciate him fully until he retired. I’m always the one arguing for Kobe (Bryant). I enjoy the passion that comes out in debates.”

Talent is Key

It will be fascinating to observe if Morris’s dynamic personality can spark enthusiasm in the Falcons. There’s a common saying that a team often mirrors its coach’s character, but let’s not overlook the reality of talent.

Indeed, while a coach can ignite passion, devise smart game plans, and promote discipline to limit errors, winning ultimately hinges on raw talent—and how well that talent collaborates.

In line with this, it’s been an eventful week for Morris and his staff as they’ve welcomed two new players: edge rusher Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons, each boasting three Pro Bowl selections. Judon joined from the New England Patriots for a third-round draft pick; Simmons was signed as a free agent earlier this week.

This comes on the heels of major offseason moves that have transformed the quarterback room. The Falcons not only signed Kirk Cousins, one of the biggest free-agent acquisitions, but they also drafted Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick in the first round.

The decision to draft Penix raised eyebrows, especially just weeks after locking in Cousins for four years and $180 million. However, Morris brushes off the criticism.

“I’ve heard many people say that ‘Michael Penix could be the most prepared player in this draft,’” Morris remarked. “Seriously, how could anyone question my choice to select him?”

Morris wasn’t exaggerating when he mentioned at the combine that if the Falcons had a better performance from their quarterbacks last season, he might not have been appointed as head coach. Now, with two quarterbacks on board for both immediate and long-term needs, Morris has secured a stronger position at the sport’s pivotal role.

The roster also boasts a collection of gifted skill-position players (like tight end Kyle Pitts, running back Bijan Robinson, and wide receiver Drake London), along with a sturdy offensive line, which adds to the excitement for the upcoming season.

Morris seems well-equipped for success, thanks to Fontenot’s strategic roster construction that blends youthful dynamism with veteran experience, as well as talent in critical positions.

Morris’s energetic coaching style perfectly complements this plan.

“He’s very transparent,” said Darnell Mooney, the wide receiver who joined as a free agent in March. “Every day, he shows his true self, bringing a ton of energy.”

It’s hard not to notice Morris on the practice field; he swiftly moves between different units, constantly motivating, encouraging, and pushing his players to excel.

“Many people in the building hold him in high regard because his energy establishes the team’s expectations,” stated Zach Harrison, a second-year defensive end. “Everyone pays attention, but he encourages us to be authentic.”

Coaching Background

Herm Edwards isn’t surprised that Morris maintains a constant energy, even more than twenty years since he recruited him as an intern when he was coaching the New York Jets.

“He played defensive back,” Edwards shared with YSL News Sports, referencing Morris’ history as a safety at Hofstra. “Most players like him have that mindset.”

Edwards had no doubt that Morris would thrive. He remembers putting him to the early morning test after Morris expressed interest in coaching. He instructed him to show up at 4:30 a.m. the following day for a workout.

Morris was punctual.

“Alright, that’s just the first day,” Edwards said. “Then he returned the next day and the day after that. It happened three days in a row. That demonstrated he was genuinely committed. Most people might show up once or arrive a bit late.”

Eventually, Edwards recommended Morris to Monte Kiffin, the then-defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who subsequently hired him as a quality control coach.

Edwards asserts, however, that true rapport between Morris and his players will be established on game days, where his leadership is tested under pressure.

“Players want assurance that when something goes awry during the game, they can come to the sideline and have you resolve it,” Edwards explained. “You must be the solution provider. They don’t want criticism or to feel ashamed. I often say, you have 40 seconds to correct it.”

Was He Prepared?

Morris is certainly more prepared to handle the demands of the job now compared to his first opportunity as a head coach in the NFL. When the Buccaneers elevated him from defensive backs coach in 2009, he was the youngest head coach in the league at just 32 years old.

During his second season, the Buccaneers recorded a 10-6 record, but his total wins over the other two seasons was just seven, culminating in a 10-game losing streak to end his tenure.

Was he truly ready?

Edwards, reflecting the common view across the NFL, believes he wasn’t.

Morris, aware of the talent disparity during a rebuilding phase, might argue differently.

“Can you ever say someone is ready?” he pondered. “You can’t predict it. There’s no concrete path you must follow. Everyone has a unique journey.”

“What could I have improved? Being a better listener.”

Lesson learned. He admits that in the past he came across as a know-it-all.

“Once you get this job, everyone turns to you for guidance,” he said. “You feel pressured to have all the answers. It’s important to seek knowledge from those with more experience. I could have benefited significantly from that. While I’ve always been decisive and confident in making choices, effective leadership is often more about listening.”

It took Morris 12 years to earn another head coaching opportunity. Notably, among the six coaches Falcons owner Arthur Blank has hired since acquiring the Falcons in 2002, Morris is the first with previous NFL head coaching experience.

This time, there’s a notable distinction. Additionally, his experience is more profound. As the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams over the past three years, he played a significant role in their Super Bowl victory and was impressed by the collaboration between coach Sean McVay, GM Les Snead, and the front office team.

Prior to that, he spent six years with the Falcons, primarily learning from his mentor, Dan Quinn.

Morris reflected on his initial experience in Atlanta, stating, “It essentially combines a decade of experience into six years.”

This was because he transitioned from coaching the secondary to working with the offense, coaching receivers, and absorbing Kyle Shanahan’s offensive strategies. Later, he returned to oversee the defense and concluded with an 11-game stint (4-7) as the interim coach in 2020 after Quinn’s termination.

His experience with Washington was also significant. It was during this time that he began building his relationship with Cousins, who joined Mike Shanahan’s coaching staff filled with emerging talents in 2012, the same year the quarterback began his career as a fourth-round draft pick.

Cousins recalls being curious about why Morris frequently attended quarterback meetings during offseason training.

“That was unusual for me before that experience, and it hasn’t happened since,” Cousins remarked. “But for a DB coach to walk down the hall, looking back, that room included Kyle Shanahan, Matt LaFleur, Mike McDaniel, and Sean McVay. He had good reasons to be there. I’d put him right alongside them.”

Now, Morris has the opportunity to showcase the value of his extensive NFL background and demonstrate what might be different this time around.