Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is one of the more accomplished coordinators in the league. He has experience as an assistant coach on both sides of the ball, as a head coach from 2009-2011 in Tampa Bay, and was the interim head coach in Atlanta after the Falcons fired Dan Quinn in 2020.
However, despite his many incredible accomplishments—including winning the Super Bowl as a defensive coordinator with LA last year—Morris has yet to receive any serious consideration to be a head coach again. This prompted Rams head coach Sean McVay to address that fact on Tuesday. “It’s a reflection of how far we have to go, because he’s one of the best coaches in the world, and the fact that he isn’t a head coach is a crime,” McVay stated via Greg Beacham of the Associated Press.
Sean McVay is thrilled DC Raheem Morris is still on the Rams' staff for 2022, and yet: "it's a reflection of how far we have to go, because he's one of the best coaches in the world, and the fact that he isn't a head coach is a crime." pic.twitter.com/0IYuVedOB9
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) April 19, 2022
Morris spent three seasons with the Bucs before being fired in 2011, and the closest he’s come to getting another head coaching gig was this past offseason. Morris interviewed with the Vikings twice, who were looking to replace long-time coach Mike Zimmer. Morris didn’t get the job, and it went instead to his Rams associate Kevin O’Connell.
Obviously, this sparks controversy over discrimination in the hiring process around the league, especially since Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL shed new light on these situations. And Morris might have a case: during his time with Tampa, he led the Bucs to a 10-6 season in 2010 and a 4-2 start in 2011, ranking as one of the best 22-game stretches in franchise history prior to Brady’s arrival. Morris is a hell of a good coach; I just hope he eventually gets another shot to lead a football team at the professional level, because he certainly deserves it.
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