Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers appoint new head coaches

The Atlanta Falcons have appointed Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, as their new head coach, the team announced on Thursday.

"This is a historic day for the Atlanta Falcons," Arthur Blank, owner of the Falcons, said in a statement. "We are thrilled to welcome Raheem Morris back to Atlanta as the team's new head coach. ... Raheem emerged from a field of excellent candidates and is the right leader to take our team into the future."

Morris became the first former National Football League (NFL) head coach Blank hired since he bought the Falcons for $545 million in 2002. He also became the team's first all-time black coach in franchise history.

The Falcons interviewed as many as 14 candidates, including former New England Patriots boss Bill Belichick, for the position. Four of them, Morris included, had the second interviews with the team. He coached the Falcons on interim basis for 11 games during the 2020 season with a 4-7 record after they fired Dan Quinn.

The Falcons hired Arthur Smith as their head coach after the 2020 campaign instead of promoting Morris to the position. Smith coached the team for three seasons, all ended with 7 wins and failures to make the playoffs, before he was fired in January.

"I am overjoyed for the opportunity for my family and I to return to Atlanta as the Falcons head coach," Morris said in the statement. "We know from firsthand experience what a first-class organization Atlanta is and what this team means to its city and its fans. I am incredibly appreciative of Arthur Blank for his leadership and for this entire organization for putting its trust in me to help lead this team."

The Carolina Panthers have appointed Dave Canales, offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as their new head coach, the team announced on Thursday.

"Dave's background is rooted in success," David Tepper, owner of the Panthers, said in a statement. "He has an innovative mindset and positive energy that connects well with players and staff. We are impressed with his ability to bring out the best in players."

The Panthers won only two of their 17 games this season, the worst record of all 32 teams in the league. Their quarterback (QB) Bryce Young, who was selected by the team with the first-overall pick last year, completed 315 of his 527 passes for 2,877 yards and 11 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

The Panthers' awful performance won't earn them the first-overall draft pick for 2024 as compensation because they gave it to the Chicago Bears in the trade in March for the pick that was used to select Young.

"Excited for what's to come but right now just thankful for my time with the Buccaneers," Canales posted on X. "Amazing fans and organization. Thanks to Coach [Todd] Bowles, the staff and the amazing players that I was honored to work with! I'll be rootin for ya 15 weeks out of the year! Thank You!!!"