4 months ago
The Atlanta Falcons fired coach Raheem Morris and wide head Terry Fontenot connected Sunday night, announcing nan moves hours aft nan squad completed their 2nd consecutive 8-9 decorativeness nether Morris and an eighth consecutive losing season.
Morris said aft Sunday’s 19-17 triumph complete nan New Orleans Saints that he expected to return for a 3rd season. Instead, his 16-18 grounds was not capable to prevention his occupation aft a twelvemonth that began pinch optimism nan Falcons would scope nan playoffs for nan first clip since 2017.
“I person awesome individual affinity for some Raheem and Terry and admit their difficult activity and dedication to nan Falcons, but I judge we request caller activity successful these roles moving forward,” proprietor Arthur Blank said successful a statement.
“The determination to move distant from group who correspond nan statement truthful good and person a shared committedness to nan values that are important to nan statement is not an easy one, but nan results connected nan section person not met our expectations aliases those of our fans and leadership. I wish Raheem and Terry nan absolute champion successful their early pursuits.”
The Falcons vanished pinch 4 consecutive wins and successful a three-way necktie for first spot successful nan NFC South, but nan surge came aft nan squad had already been eliminated from playoff contention. Carolina won nan section connected nan ground of a superior grounds successful divisional games.
Blank attended Morris’s postgame news convention and hugged nan second-year coach afterward. Asked whether he expected to return, Morris said: “You know, my anticipation is ever to beryllium back, right?” He past looked astatine Blank and added: “I’m going to coach this shot squad arsenic agelong arsenic he allows it.”
When asked whether he had discussed his occupation position pinch Blank, Morris said: “You can’t interest astir those things. The leader is sitting correct there. This is simply a business. Those decisions will beryllium made astatine nan due time.”
Fontenot was hired arsenic wide head earlier nan 2021 season. The Falcons went 36-48 during his tenure, though his 2025 draught people showed promise. First-round picks James Peace Jr and Jalon Walker led NFL rookies successful sacks, while third-round prime Xavier Watts led each rookies pinch 5 interceptions.
The Falcons said nan hunt for a caller coach and wide head would statesman immediately.
