The Falcons shocked the NFL world yesterday when they announced the hiring of Raheem Morris.
After weeks of speculation surrounding Bill Belichick, Arthur Blank did the unthinkable and hired the man he passed over three years ago in favor of Arthur Smith. Many painted a picture of Bill Belichick versus Rich McKay; instead, Blank went with neither.
In the same breath as announcing Morris as the 19th head coach of the Falcons franchise, it was announced that McKay wouldn’t be involved in day-to-day operations.
It was a peculiar ending to an even weirder process, and we don’t really know what happened. However, some details have emerged. Executive Brett Jewkes revealed just how Raheem Morris convinced the search committee to hire him.
Second interview: even better. Wow, so well prepared.
His time in LA has elevated him. Clearly gleaned a lot of learning and experience in an excellent Rams org.
He has a great plan and unbridled passion to work it.
— Brett Jewkes (@BJewkes) January 26, 2024
I don’t think it’s even debatable at this point, but the time Raheem Morris spent in Los Angeles learning under Sean McVay was infinitely more valuable than his time as an actual head coach in Tampa Bay. There’s no denying Jewkes’ point of his passion; Falcons fans will soon love their head coach if they don’t already. Morris’ passion is unmatched.
VERY bullish on talent in the coaching pipeline. Was blown away by several of our candidates. Blown away.
Several interviews planned for 4.5 hours went 6. Why? Guys were so good … and compelling.
— Brett Jewkes (@BJewkes) January 26, 2024
I never criticized the Falcons process of interviews in the sense that casting a wide net is a bad thing. It’s not, and Jewkes is correct.
Operating a stadium that hosts everything from the World Cup to college football to pro football to soccer to concerts to weddings to myriad other things is more than most NFL teams. Don't compare staff structures from a team that is just a football team to AMBSE. You can't.
— Brett Jewkes (@BJewkes) January 26, 2024
AMBSE is Falcons, United, MBS and some other things. The transition of responsibilities BEGAN on/around Jan. 7 2023 when Rich McKay was named CEO of AMBSE. Steve Cannon has been the steward of ATLUTD for AMBSE and eventually this will transition fully to Rich.
— Brett Jewkes (@BJewkes) January 26, 2024
Why Jewkes went from the head coaching search to the Falcons parent company, AMB Sports & Entertainment, is crazy. We (Falcons fans) do not care about AMBSE. We care about wins and the on-field product, which has been sorely lacking since 2017.
“Don’t compare staff structures from a team that is just a football team to AMBSE,” has me at a loss for words, which never happens. Falcons fans literally DO NOT CARE about your other entities? In fact, if the Falcons are so different from other teams, why hasn’t that translated to success? Wins and losses? Arthur Blank has seen more losing seasons than winning ones.
We ran our process.
Crazy takes on timing of interviews were laughable. First, new rules this year dictated a lot. Second, schedules (ours, candidates, other teams, etc.) dictated a lot. Third, we ran our process in spite of the noise. Some media did a really good job on this.
— Brett Jewkes (@BJewkes) January 26, 2024
Jewkes says there was NEVER any panic or discombobulation, which seems ironic. Why would you even need to address that if it weren’t the case? Perhaps, Zach Klein’s report that Arthur Blank was “panicking, in total disarray” about the head coaching search pushed a few buttons?
“I have heard from so many people around the league that say Arthur Blank is panicking, in total disarray, he doesn’t know what to do,” the Atlanta-based reporter told Brian Barrett on the Off The Pike podcast.
But as long as Jewkes does some damage control, an executive of a Falcons team that has constantly lied to its fan base, we should believe him!
Love seeing how excited our players, other players, and so many others around the league are for Raheem. And in our building too!
Really bullish on many of our other candidates – great young talent out there.
There was never panic, just process. Don't believe anything else.
— Brett Jewkes (@BJewkes) January 26, 2024
With all of that being said, Raheem Morris deserves a fair shake and is certainly qualified to be a head coach. The Falcons, as an organization, deserve to be ridiculed. Raheem Morris does not. He’s a hell of a person and coach.
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Photographer: Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire
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