Raheem Morris and Falcons Hire Rams Assistant Head Coach Jimmy Lake As Defensive Coordinator

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has continued to poach the Los Angeles Rams' staff to fill out his own. This time, hiring assistant head coach Jimmy Lake as his defensive coordinator.

It was no surprise to see Los Angeles Rams quarterback coach Zac Robinson head eastbound to join Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris as his offensive coordinator. 

Morris, the former Rams defensive coordinator, will continue to look at his former understudies in Los Angeles as he attempts to put together his staff. 

And Monday was no exception. 

Per an announcement from the team, the Falcons have hired Rams assistant head coach Jimmy Lake as their new defensive coordinator

Nov 6, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Jimmy Lake watches pregame warmups against the Oregon Ducks at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Lake was most notably the head coach of the Washington Huskies from 2020–2021. He was initially the defensive backs coach before being promoted to co-defensive coordinator and eventually the sole owner of said title.

Lake oversaw Washington’s defense as it developed future-impact players like Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker and Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. His coaching experience and track record of developing talent give credence to the idea that coverage is king and will continue to be prioritized in Atlanta.

Sources telling me that #JimmyLake will be the new @AtlantaFalcons DC. He is currently the @RamsNFL Asso Head Coach. He coached with the #Bucs and #Lions from 06'-2011 before returning back to college. He is the Former Head Coach of the University of Washington and has worked…

— Carl Dukes (@putemupcdukes) January 29, 2024

After Kalen DeBoer took over as head coach for the Huskies in 2022, Lake would take a season to regroup before joining Rams head coach Sean McVay in Los Angeles for the 2023 season.

Lake’s previous NFL experience began with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006 as an assistant defensive backs coach. After spending the 2008 season with the Detroit Lions, he and Morris would join forces under Morris’ first head-coaching stop in Tampa Bay. He was the defensive backs coach for the 2010 and 2011 seasons before returning to the college ranks.

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As for the Rams, they’ll look to make the requisite hires and promotions to maintain the growth that the defense saw in 2023. 

That isn’t an easy task given the reputations of both Morris and Lake, and a veteran name from out of town may get the call for one, if not both, of the openings directly below McVay’s standing.