A dynamic coaching career filled with ups, downs, and a comeback arc—Raheem Morris’s story reads like a playbook written in real life. This isn’t your typical linear trajectory. It’s a bit messy, human, and consistently evolving.
The Early Coaching Journey: From Hofstra to the NFL Sidelines
Graduating from Hofstra in 1998, Morris jumped into coaching almost immediately as a graduate assistant—handling video breakdowns, scouting, and, yes, the often-overlooked grunt work required to build any coaching foundation. He quickly went to Cornell as a defensive backs coach, then back to Hofstra before entering the NFL in 2002 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Notably, he was part of the staff that secured the franchise’s first Super Bowl title (Super Bowl XXXVII) .
It’s a classic entry story—boy from Hofstra, grabs the coffee, studies the tape, learns the language of pro football. And, before you know it, he’s winning rings.
First Head Coach Run with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In 2009, Morris became head coach of the Buccaneers. After a brutal 0–7 start, he turned it around—at least momentarily. The team rallied to a 10–6 finish in 2010, meaningfully becoming the first coach since the 1970 merger to start 10 rookies and still post a winning record . But consistency didn’t follow. The 2011 season collapsed, culminating in a 4–12 record and his dismissal .
That 2010 turnaround illustrates how adaptability and belief can retrace a downward spiral. Yet, football’s harsh reality returned fast—two losing seasons and a firing.
Building Versatility: Washington and Falcons, Part One
Post-Buccaneers, Morris didn’t drift—he pivoted. From 2012 to 2014, he shifted to Washington as defensive backs coach, mastering the secondary again. Then, in Atlanta from 2015, he wore different hats with the Falcons: assistant head coach, defensive pass game coordinator, wide receivers coach, and offensive pass game coordinator. By 2020, he shifted back to defense, becoming defensive coordinator and then interim head coach midseason after Dan Quinn’s exit (leading the team to a 4–7 record) .
That period underscores a key theme: versatility. Not many coaches can shuffle between offense and defense effectively—Morris did.
Super Bowl Glory with the Rams
Next stop: Los Angeles. In 2021, Morris became defensive coordinator for the Rams and immediately co-piloted a championship defense that won Super Bowl LVI in early 2022 . He stayed on through 2023, guiding a young defense through turbulence—down one season, rebound to playoffs the next .
That Super Bowl ring is a defining highlight—proof that he could excel at the highest level of scheming and execution.
Return to Atlanta: Head Coach, Second Stint (2024–2025)
Yet again, Morris got another shot as head coach—this time with the Atlanta Falcons in January 2024. The search included heavy-hitters like Bill Belichick, but Falcons owner Arthur Blank cited Morris’s growth and fresh perspective post-Rams as decisive .
Across two full seasons (2024 and 2025), he posted an 8–9 record each year—respectable, but not enough for postseason success. A strong finish to 2025, including a four-game win streak, wasn’t enough to save his job; he and GM Terry Fontenot were dismissed on January 4, 2026 .
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009–2011): 17–31
- Falcons interim (2020): 4–7
- Falcons full-time (2024–2025): 16–18
Overall head coaching record: approximately 37–56 .
New Chapter: San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator
Fresh off the Falcons exit, Morris just landed in a strategic role: defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers as of February 1, 2026. This reunites him with Kyle Shanahan—a colleague dating back to their time in Tampa Bay, Washington, and Atlanta .
He steps into a defense that struggled in 2025 due to injuries—losing stars like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Still, it ended mid-pack (around 20th in total defense and 13th in scoring defense, allowing ~21.8 points per game) .
Most intriguingly, Morris shifts schemes—from the wide-9/4–3 approach under Robert Saleh to his own 3–4 and Tampa-2 flexibility . For Shanahan, it’s a long-awaited move—he had pursued Morris since 2017 .
Highlights at a Glance: Quick Stats & Key Achievements
- Two-time Super Bowl champion as assistant coach (with Tampa Bay and Rams) .
- Head coaching stints: TB (2009–2011), ATL interim (2020), ATL full-time (2024–2025) with overall record ~37–56 .
- Known for adaptability—flipping between offensive and defensive roles.
- With Rams, delivered Super Bowl-winning defense quickly.
- New 49ers DC—expected to overhaul scheme and elevate defense.
“Morris brings extensive experience across various defensive schemes … Shanahan is confident in Morris’s ability to transition the current 49ers defense.”
Human Elements and Narrative Flow
It’s worth noting the human unpredictability in Morris’s arc. He crashed early in his head coaching career, found support as an assistant, adapted and thrived in different roles, won a ring, got promoted again, faced another downfall, and now finds himself in a high-leverage coordinator role. It’s not a scripted hero’s journey—it’s messy, like real life, but full of versatility and persistence. He’s a coach who reinvents himself, and isn’t shy about embracing change.
Conclusion
Raheem Morris’s career paints a picture of resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to shift gears. A coach who’s risen from graduate assistant to Super Bowl-winning architect, with two head coaching chapters that both highlight promise and stumbles. Now, in San Francisco, he has a streamlined mission: revitalize a talented defense with new ideas and fierce urgency. For those tracking coaching evolutions in the NFL, Morris remains one of the more intriguing figures—full of promise, complexity, and always a next chapter waiting to unfold.
FAQs
What is Raheem Morris’s overall head coaching record?
Across his head coaching stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons (interim and full-time), Morris has an approximate win-loss record of 37–56.
How many Super Bowls has Morris won as a coach?
He has earned two Super Bowl rings as an assistant coach—first with the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII, then with the Rams in Super Bowl LVI.
When did Morris become 49ers defensive coordinator, and why is it significant?
He was hired on February 1, 2026. This marks a reunion with Kyle Shanahan and a strategic shift from the 49ers’ previous defensive scheme.
What schemes does Morris prefer as a defensive coordinator?
Morris is known for his flexibility—comfortable running both 3–4 base and Tampa-2 (4–3) packages, offering a fresh approach compared to the outgoing wide-9/4–3 style.
Why was Morris dismissed from the Falcons after two seasons?
Despite back-to-back 8–9 finishes and a strong end to his second year, his teams missed the playoffs both seasons, leading to his and the GM’s dismissal on January 4, 2026.
What makes this new role with the 49ers a good fit for Morris?
He’s entering a familiar context with Shanahan and a talented but underperforming defensive roster. His proven adaptability and past championship success position him well to reinvigorate the unit.
Leave a comment