Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams is both “happy and sad” about Raheem Morris’ hiring in Atlanta.

Raheem Morris is heading to the Atlanta Falcons to take over as head coach after leaving the Los Angeles Rams.

Morris deserves to be appointed since he played a significant role in the team’s incredible run for the NFC Wild Card. Sean McVay, his former head coach, is all positive about his former defensive coordinator.
Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams is both “happy and sad” about Raheem Morris’ hiring in Atlanta.

In an interview with Albert Breer of The Monday Morning Quarterback, McVay expressed his gratitude to Morris for the chance to coach in the NFL but also expressed his loneliness at losing a close friend and colleague to the NFC East.

Additionally, Andrew Gould of The Spun wrote about McVay’s thoughts on the Falcons’ newest addition:

McVay told Breer, “I can’t say enough good things about the guy.”

McVay’s emotions on Morris’s exit are nuanced in part because of his return to head coaching duties. Gould says in his writing:

Morris had a difficult journey back to head coaching following his 17-31 season in 2009–2011 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Prior to becoming Atlanta’s defensive coordinator in 2020, he coached defensive backs for Washington.

After Dan Quinn was fired by the Falcons, the New Jersey native served as Atlanta’s temporary head coach through the end of the 2020 season. Arthur Smith, who coached for three 7–10 seasons before being fired earlier this month, was given the full-time position.

When defensive coordinator Brandon Staley resigned to join the Los Angeles Chargers, McVay hired Morris in the interim. Morris’s Rams victory in the Super Bowl was his second.

Furthermore, in 2013, while the Washington Commanders were still known as the Redskins, Morris collaborated with McVay under the tutelage of the renowned Mike Shanahan. Three other members of that year’s coaching staff are currently head coaches in the NFL: Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins, Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers, and Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers.

When these two men cross paths on an NFL field again, it will be as head coaches of different teams. You can be certain, though, that the two head coaches still have love for one another.