Following an extensive period of interviews and the typical speculation accompanying a new head coaching search, the Atlanta Falcons ultimately opted for Raheem Morris, the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. The term “settled” appears fitting for this hiring decision.

In the past few weeks, the Falcons reportedly conducted approximately 14 interviews in their quest to fill the head coaching vacancy left by Arthur Smith’s termination, which occurred within 24 hours after the last regular-season game.

Numerous well-known names and rumored coaching favorites were interviewed, including Jim Harbaugh from Michigan, former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, and Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, among others. Despite this extensive search, owner Arthur Blank and general manager Terry Fontenot ultimately chose familiarity within the organization.

Just four years ago, when the Falcons dismissed then-defensive coordinator Dan Quinn after five games into his sixth season, Raheem Morris, who was serving as the defensive coordinator for Atlanta at the time, stepped in as the interim coach for the remainder of the season. After achieving a 4-2 record in his first six games, there were rumors suggesting that Morris might become the permanent head coach. However, the Falcons ended up losing their last five games, leading Blank to initiate a comprehensive organizational rebuild, starting with the search for a new head coach.

Morris was interviewed in 2020, possibly as a formality and to comply with the NFL Rooney Rule. Nonetheless, the Falcons opted to hire Arthur Smith, the Tennessee Titans’ offensive coordinator, in 2020. In contrast to their previous attempt in 2020 to select an up-and-coming coach with potential, the Falcons chose a more experienced option this time, despite Morris’s limited success in his prior head coaching stint.