Bill Belichick Was 'Very Serious Candidate' for Falcons Coaching Job Before Raheem Morris Hire
As the Atlanta Falcons introduced head coach Raheem Morris on Monday, there were two notably absent figures.
One, owner Arthur Blank, couldn't attend after suffering a "minor medical issue" this past weekend but hopes to speak with reporters via teleconference later this week.
The other - former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick - never will.
For a moment, Belichick appeared to be the leader in the clubhouse for Atlanta's head coaching vacancy, which arose after the firing of Arthur Smith on Jan. 7.
Belichick, who won six Super Bowl titles during his 24-year stint in New England, was the first candidate to receive two interviews from the Falcons, and Blank was fixated on the 71-year-old early in the process.
When other candidates met at Blank's house, Belichick was treated to a yacht trip.
But ultimately, tides turned, and the Falcons shifted to Morris - but Atlanta's interest in Belichick was legitimate, team president Greg Beadles said Monday.
"Coach Belichick was obviously a very serious candidate for us," Beadles said. "You can't have anything but the ultimate respect for what he's done in his career."
Raheem Morris and Bill Belichick were two of four candidates who received second interviews with the Atlanta Falcons.
Clutchpoints
The Falcons held in-person interviews with a trio of former NFL head coaches - Belichick, new Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh and recently fired Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel.
Atlanta couldn't meet in person with candidates under contract with other NFL teams until Jan. 22, which led to Belichick and Harbaugh being the team's first two non-virtual meetings.
Beadles noted the track record each of Belichick, Harbaugh and Vrabel bring while adding they were "excellent interviews."
So, why Morris?
"At the end of the day, it was just, 'What's the best for us in the current situation where we are and the current time that we are?'" Beadles said. "Our group was unanimous to Arthur (Blank) in our recommendation that that was Raheem."
The Falcons had a large contingency involved in the interview process, including Blank, Fontenot, Beadles, former CEO Rich McKay, assistant general manager Kyle Smith and senior personnel executive Ryan Pace.
Fontenot led the interviews, a process he said was detailed and organized and ultimately helped both the staff learn more about the Falcons roster.
From Belichick and Harbaugh to the other 12 candidates Atlanta interviewed, Fontenot said he appreciated everyone's time and is "excited" about having Morris onboard.
The search was positive - and ultimately saw the Falcons pivot from their presumed early favorite to a familiar face in Morris.
"We're talking to some of the brightest minds in the game, whether it's coaches who've had success already or coaches who are going to have success," Fontenot said. "It's important to go into it with an open mind and with humility, so you can listen and learn."
Morris arrived in Atlanta on Sunday, flanked by his parents, wife and three kids.
He's also followed by something else - a career record of 21-38 as head coach, including 4-7 as Atlanta's interim in 2020, marred by five consecutive losses to close the campaign.
Belichick brings a track record of success, going 302-165 in 29 years as a head coach - though he was just 36-44 with the Cleveland Browns and 29-38 in his last four years in New England following Tom Brady's exit.
Still, Belichick's resume is as decorated as any head coach in NFL history - something Morris acknowledged Monday while expressing his gratitude for the opportunity.
"Coach Belichick is going to be considered the very best to ever do it in our profession," Morris said. "And I've got so much respect for what he's done in his career. I would never, ever feel slighted than (how) people would feel for Coach Belichick.
"But you've got a process in place, and you go through it and let the best man win, and whatever the case may be, I'm just fortunate to be sitting here in front of you."
Morris, who spent the past three seasons as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator, said his return to Atlanta is coming home.
Time and again, he and Fontenot spoke about collaboration, all the while illustrating their evidently fast-growing relationship.
Morris and Fontenot plan on winning together. Not just games, but Super Bowl's - Morris has two under his belt, but none as head coach. Fontenot has one, but none as a high-ranking personnel executive.
Blank has zero. Morris and Fontenot intend on changing that. And Belichick's presence has no relevance to the franchise moving forward.
"I don't think we can really focus on who was in the process - it's just like going to play games," Morris said. "When you go play those games, it really doesn't matter who's across those lines - it's our job to go get wins, and that was my job in this process."
