Falcons Coaching Staff Coming Together as Raheem Morris Keeps 4 Assistants

Several members of the Atlanta Falcons' coaching staff have been retained.

The Atlanta Falcons' coaching staff is taking shape under new head coach Raheem Morris.

The Falcons hired Morris, previously the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator, on Jan. 25, ending a search that lasted nearly three weeks in the aftermath of Arthur Smith's firing.

Morris wasted no time interviewing candidates - and has quickened the process by bringing back four members of the previous staff.

Raheem Morris / USA Today Sports

Atlanta will retain special teams coordinator Marquice Williams, and according to WSB Atlanta, will also keep offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford, running backs coach Michael Pitre and receivers coach T.J. Yates.

The Falcons haven't officially confirmed these moves nor specified if they'll be staying in their previous roles.

Morris also filled his offensive coordinator vacancy, hiring Rams quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator Zac Robinson, who was highly sought after by teams with the same opening.

Similarly, Williams and Ledford drew interest from other teams.

Williams received interview requests from the New England Patriots and New York Giants; he was blocked from meeting with the Giants but interviewed with the Patriots, who's job offer he ultimately declined in order to stay in Atlanta.

Ledford was also in demand from the Giants but was blocked from interviewing.

Pitre has been instrumental in the development of running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, both of whom set franchise rookie records in their respective opening acts.

Yates, a seven-year NFL quarterback, has provided innovative practice drills and a fresh perspective to the receiver position, aiding in the development of first-round pick Drake London.

Robinson, 37, has spent the past five seasons in Los Angeles, serving as assistant quarterbacks coach in 2019 and 2021, assistant receivers coach in 2020 and quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator the past two years.

The Falcons' defensive coaching staff remains entirely vacant. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen left for the same role with the Jacksonville Jaguars, as did defensive assistant Dave Huxtable.

Jags Hire Nielsen, Leaving Falcons with Defensive Uncertainty Yet Again

No other defensive staff members have been signed elsewhere or retained by Morris - yet.

Morris will be introduced to the media next Monday, Feb. 5, and could look to have his staff confirmed by then.