With Raheem Morris Fired, Who is Favored to be the Next Head Coach for Atlanta in 2026? Who Should Replace Raheem Morris in 2026?
Full Story on Morris Being Fired as Atlanta’s Head Coach
The Falcons had become one of the hottest teams in recent weeks. In fact, Atlanta ended the regular season on a four-game winning streak and won five of its last seven games. But despite that strong finish, the team still failed to qualify for the postseason. Following Sunday’s home finale victory vs. New Orleans Saints, the 8-9 Falcons fired Raheem Morris after just two seasons as head coach. General Manager Terry Fontenot was also let go after being under the helm for five seasons.
The Falcons now own the longest playoff drought in the league with last such appearance in 2017. They trail the New York Jets, whose recent postseason berth came during the Rex Ryan days in 2010. Perhaps their biggest win of the 2025 season came on December 11, where they rallied from a 14-point deficit to stun the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 29-28.
Over the past several years, the football squad drafted some first round prospects such as QB Michael Penix Jr. (Washington, 2024), RB Bijan Robinson (Texas, 2023), WR Drake London (USC, 2022), and TE Kyle Pitts (Florida, 2021). Atlanta becomes the sixth NFL team to change head coaches this season along with Brian Daboll (Giants), Brian Callahan (Titans), Kevin Stefanski (Browns), Pete Carroll (Raiders), and Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals).
Raheem Morris’s Career with the Atlanta Falcons
Morris took over as the leading man in Georgia in 2024 after the dismissal of Arthur Smith. In his first year on the job, Morris led the Falcons to a 2nd place finish in the NFC South Division. He coached QB Kirk Cousins to a 6-3 start in 2024, but fell to 8-9 to finish off the year. Atlanta has not achieved a winning record since its recent playoff appearance in 2017. Overall, Morris compiled a 16-18 record and 7-5 in divisional play.
Before becoming the Falcons’ head coach, Morris served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams (2021-2023) and Atlanta (2020). He guided the Rams to a Super Bowl championship by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. Morris did have prior coaching experience with Atlanta as the associate head coach (2015-2019), but became the interim coach after the team fired Dan Quinn. The former was previously the head coach for the Buccaneers (2009-2011) and guided them to a 10-6 record in 2010 despite not making the playoffs.
What’s Next for the Atlanta Falcons?
Many Falcons football fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace Raheem Morris in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Morris as Atlanta Falcons Head Coach!
Possible Candidates to Replace Raheem Morris as Atlanta HC
Internal Candidates
Zac Robinson-Atlanta Falcons
- Rams Assistant Coach (2019-2020)
- Rams QB Coach (2021-2023)
- Falcons Offensive Coordinator (2024-Present)
- Won Super Bowl LVI with Los Angeles in 2021
Top Head Coach Candidates for Atlanta Falcons to Consider
Jesse Minter-Los Angeles Chargers
- Indiana State LB Coach (2009-2010)
- Indiana State Defensive Coordinator (2011-2012)
- Georgia State DC (2013-2016)
- Ravens Defense Coach (2017-2018)
- Ravens DB Coach (2019-2020)
- Vanderbilt DC (2021)
- Michigan DC (2022-2023)
- Chargers DC (2024-Present)
- Guided Los Angeles to #7 Seed in the AFC Conference in 2025
- Won National Championship with Wolverines in 2023
Mike McCarthy-Dallas Cowboys
- Chiefs QB Coach (1995-1998)
- Packers QB Coach (1999)
- Saints OC (2000-2004)
- 49ers OC (2005)
- Packers HC (2006-2018)
- Cowboys HC (2020-2024)
- Won Super Bowl with Green Bay in 2010
- Took Dallas to Two NFC East Division Titles
Mike LaFleur-Los Angeles Rams
- Browns Offense Intern (2014)
- Falcons Offensive Assistant (2015-2016)
- 49ers Pass Game Coordinator (2017-2020)
- Jets Offensive Coordinator (2021-2022)
- Rams Offensive Coordinator (2023-Present)
- Led Los Angeles to #5 Seed in the NFC Conference in 2025
- Took San Francisco to Super Bowl in Early 2020
- Also Guided Atlanta to Super Bowl in Early 2017
Kliff Kingsbury-Washington Commanders
- Texas Tech Offensive Coordinator (2012)
- Texas Tech Head Coach (2013-2018)
- Cardinals HC (2019-2022)
- USC Senior Offense Analyst (2023)
- Commanders OC (2024-Present)
- Led Washington to NFC Championship Game in Early 2025
Leading Candidate to Replace Raheem Morris as Falcons HC in 2026
Klint Kubiak-Seattle Seahawks
- Kansas WR Coach (2015)
- Broncos Offense Coach (2016-2018)
- Vikings QB Coach (2019-2020)
- Vikings OC (2021)
- Broncos Pass Game Coordinator (2022)
- 49ers Pass Game Coordinator (2023)
- Saints OC (2024)
- Seahawks OC (2025-Present)
- Led Seattle to #1 Seed in the NFC Conference in 2025
- Coached in Super Bowl for San Francisco in 2023
Other Coaching Candidates in the NFL:
Brian Daboll (New York Giants)
Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans)
Thanks for reading the List of Candidates to Replace Raheem Morris as Atlanta HC! We hope this article helped! Please feel free to read our other articles and follow us on X and Facebook for more!
