Niners hiring former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris as defensive coordinator

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Former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris landed on his feet.

The 49ers are hiring Morris to be their new defensive coordinator, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Sunday.

Morris is coming of a two-year stint helming Atlanta in which he went 16-18 and also has prior head coaching experience with the Buccaneers, having gone 20-25 with them from 2009-2011. With Robert Saleh going from Niners DC to head coach elsewhere for a second time, Morris represents an ideal experienced leader to succeed him and oversee the defense while head coach Kyle Shanahan keeps the offense humming.

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The 49ers’ 2025 defensive stats appear middling, but looks in this case are deceiving as to the situation Morris will take over.

San Francisco recently finished 13th in points allowed, 20th in yards allowed and last in the league with 20 sacks. However, even piecing together enough defensive consistency to allow the team to go 12-5 and reach the Divisional Round was somewhat of a marvel. The 49ers were a band of walking wounded all year. Stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner suffered early season-ending injuries. Up-and-comers like Mykel Williams landed on injured reserve, and even those who broke out in larger roles due to injuries in front of them, such as Tatum Bethune went down.

Morris possesses the play-calling acumen on defense to maximize the many difference-makers coming back healthy.

By joining the Niners, he also flips side in one of the great NFC West rivalries. Morris served as defensive coordinator for the Rams from 2021-23, winning Super Bowl LVI with them during his first season there.

With any luck, he’ll now help their neighbors to the north win a ring, as well.

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