According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers are set to hire former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris as defensive coordinator, replacing Robert Saleh, who is now the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
Morris has built a varied coaching career in the NFL, marked by head coaching opportunities and strong defensive work.
He began his NFL journey with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rising from defensive quality control roles to defensive backs coach before becoming head coach from 2009 to 2011. His tenure produced a 17-31 record.
After time as defensive backs coach with the Washington Redskins (2012-2014), Morris joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2015 in various assistant roles, including wide receivers coach and offensive pass game coordinator. In 2020, he served as defensive coordinator and interim head coach for the final 11 games, posting a 4-7 mark.
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From 2021 to 2023, he excelled as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, contributing to their Super Bowl victory in the 2021 season.
The Falcons brought Morris back as full-time head coach in 2024. His first season ended at 8-9, with a strong 6-3 start that faded later. In 2025, the team repeated the 8-9 record, showing promise with a four-game winning streak to close the campaign but ultimately missing the playoffs. Atlanta parted ways with Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot on January 4.
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Featured image via Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images
