Raheem Morris and Dan Quinn both parlayed successful stints as defensive coordinators over the past three seasons into their second head coaching opportunities this offseason.
Morris, who coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-11, left the Los Angeles Rams to become head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Quinn was the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys before taking over as coach of the Washington Commanders. Quinn was Atlanta’s head coach from 2015-20.
Between Morris’ two head-coaching jobs, he spent some time in Washington (2012-2014) before moving to Atlanta in 2015 to work under Quinn. In fact, Morris was on Quinn’s staff for his entire time in Atlanta. Morris replaced Quinn as interim head coach in 2020 when the Falcons fired him.
Like so many others who have worked with Quinn over the years, Morris is grateful for their time together.
As a recent guest on “The Pivot” podcast, Morris raved about Quinn.
“Dan Quinn gives me credit for that (how Morris relates with people), but he gets credit for being the best connector I’ve ever been around,” Morris said. “I watched this man connect with everybody. You want to talk about a great listener. Dan Quinn has the patience like I’ve never seen. He can sit there and listen, and I don’t know if he believed me or not, but he made me believe he believed me, and that’s all that really matters.”
Morris and Quinn earned their second coaching opportunities, which some would say were overdue. Both are known for being great communicators. You can add Morris to the list of those who were inspired by Quinn in one way or another.
