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Falcons hire Raheem Morris as head coach after extensive search

AP file photo by Phelan M. Ebenhack / Raheem Morris was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams the past three seasons after previously working in the same role for the Atlanta Falcons and spending the final 11 games of the 2020 season as their interim head coach.
AP file photo by Phelan M. Ebenhack / Raheem Morris was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams the past three seasons after previously working in the same role for the Atlanta Falcons and spending the final 11 games of the 2020 season as their interim head coach. AP file photo by Phelan M. Ebenhack / Raheem Morris was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams the past three seasons after previously working in the same role for the Atlanta Falcons and spending the final 11 games of the 2020 season as their interim head coach.

By PAUL NEWBERRY / The Associated Press 7 min read

ATLANTA — Three years ago, the Atlanta Falcons passed on a chance to make Raheem Morris their head coach.

They didn’t let him get away this time — even after an exhaustive search that included six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick.

The Falcons hired the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator on Thursday, bringing back a familiar name who served as Atlanta’s interim coach for the final 11 games of the 2020 season after Dan Quinn was fired.

The 47-year-old Morris was hired by the Falcons after 14 candidates were interviewed, with Belichick the most notable among them. Earlier Thursday, the team conducted a second interview with Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

In the end, the Falcons decided to go with an experienced coach who has been in the NFL all but one season going back to 2002, including a three-year stint as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He previously worked in Atlanta from 2015-2020.