'Exceptional Leader!' Rams GM Les Snead Raves on Falcons' Hire of Raheem Morris

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead raved about the Atlanta Falcons' hiring of Raheem Morris on Thursday.

The Atlanta Falcons have found their head coach, and while the Los Angeles Rams are now in the market for a new defensive coordinator, the organization is proud of what its former cohort has accomplished.

Raheem Morris was named Atlanta's new head coach on Thursday, putting an end to the search for Arthur Smith's successor with the Falcons. Rams general manager Les Snead (a former part of Atlanta's front office) praised the franchise's decision to hire Morris, calling him an "exceptional leader" in the process.

Oct 16, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris watches from the sidelines in the second half against the Carolina Panthers at SoFi Stadium / Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

"The Atlanta Falcons, an organization and owner that mean a lot to me personally, are fortunate to have hired Raheem Morris to lead their football team," Snead said. "He is one of few exceptional leaders that has coached both sides of the ball with some of the the game's most respected minds at the professional and collegiate levels. An integral part of our Super Bowl Championship, Raheem has been successful everywhere he's been, including his first stint as a head coach. 

"He leaves an indelible mark on everyone he works with and has a rare ability to unify and inspire a collective group to accomplish their mission. Most importantly, he is a respected leader who treats everyone the same, and is a model husband, father, and friend."

Morris was on staff with Atlanta from 2015-20, including serving as the Falcons' interim head coach prior to Smith's hiring. His only other full-time head coaching gig in the NFL came from 2009-11 with Atlanta's NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

'Overjoyed!' Falcons New Coach Morris's First Public Statement

The new Falcons coach had been on staff with the Rams since 2021 as the team's defensive coordinator, and he also had an NFL stop with the Washington Commanders from 2012-14.