Raheem Morris

Raheem Morris (born September 3, 1976) is an assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for the Atlanta Falcons. He has served as head coach and defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was hired by the Buccaneers as head coach on January 17, 2009 after previous head coach Jon Gruden was fired after seven seasons,^[1] but was fired after the 2011 season.

Coaching career

Early years

Morris graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in physical education in 1998 after playing safety at Hofstra from 1994 to 1997. That same year he began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Hofstra University, where he was responsible for coaching the offensive scout team, developing scouting reports and handling video breakdown and computer input and analysis. In 1999, he was hired by Cornell University as their defensive backs coach and special teams assistant. After 1999, he went back to Hofstra to be defensive back coach. Also, in 2001, he spent time as a defensive minority intern with the New York Jets.

First stint with Buccaneers

Before the 2002 season, Morris was hired by the Buccaneers to become their defensive quality control coach, where he helped them have the top-ranked defense and win the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl, beating the Oakland Raiders 48–21 in Super Bowl XXXVII. In 2003, he became a defensive assistant. From 2004 to 2005 he was the assistant defensive backs coach. After 2005 he went to Kansas State to be their defensive coordinator.

Kansas State

Morris spent one season with the Kansas State Wildcats in 2006, as defensive coordinator under then-head coach Ron Prince. He helped improve the defense in several statistical categories including total defense, scoring defense and pass defense. He helped the Wildcats upset the #4 Texas Longhorns during the 2006 season.

Second stint with Buccaneers

Before the 2007 season, Morris returned to the Buccaneers to be their defensive backs coach, replacing Greg Burns. After the teams pass defense fell to 19th in 2006, Morris helped the pass defense achieve the league’s top ranking in 2007.

Head coach

In December 2008, it was announced that Morris would take over as defensive coordinator for the Buccaneers for the 2009 season after Monte Kiffin announced that he would be leaving the team to join his son, Lane Kiffin, at Tennessee.^[2] Just a month later on January 16, 2009, head coach Jon Gruden was fired by the Buccaneers and Morris was named the team's head coach.^[1] Morris had also interviewed for head coach with the Denver Broncos before being hired by Tampa Bay.^[3]

After starting the season 0–7, Morris earned his first victory as a head coach in week 9 against the Green Bay Packers. On November 24, 2009 Morris took over defensive coordinator duties after relieving Jim Bates of his duties.^[4] He finished his first year as the head coach, leading the team to last in the NFC South with a 3–13 record. In his second season, the team finished 10-6, barely missing the playoffs. That seven game turnaround was the best in franchise history.

In 2010, Morris became the first coach since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger to start at least 10 rookies and finish with a winning record.^[5]

During Week 13 of the 2011 NFL season, against the Carolina Panthers, Morris banished defensive tackle Brian Price to the sideline after Price shoved Panthers guard Mackenzy Bernadeau well after the end of a third-quarter play in which Cam Newton was sacked for a four-yard loss. Price was penalized for unnecessary roughness. Morris was incensed because the sack would have forced the Panthers into a 3rd-and-14 situation. However, the resulting 15-yard penalty gave the Panthers a first down, allowing them to complete a touchdown drive that put the game out of reach (the Panthers won 38-19).^[6] After the game, a visibly angry Morris called Price's actions "foolish" and "selfish." The move drew comparisons to then San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary banishing Vernon Davis from the sideline after a personal foul in 2008.^[7] On January 2, 2012, Morris was fired as head coach of the Buccaneers after a 4-12 season, including losing their last ten games.^[8]

Washington Redskins

On January 11, 2012, Morris was hired by the Washington Redskins to be their defensive backs coach.^[9]

Atlanta Falcons

On January 26, 2015, it was announced Morris was joining the Atlanta Falcons as assistant head coach/defensive backs.^[10]

Head coaching record

References