In the season premiere episode of On the Rise: Season 4, the Atlanta Falcons begin a new chapter with newly hired Head Coach Raheem Morris. After an extensive and thorough coaching search, the search for a new head coach concluded in exciting fashion. The former Falcons interim coach, Raheem Morris returns to Atlanta with new expectations, garnered respect and a limitless vision for the team. Raheem speaks on the expectations for the upcoming season and what he hopes to bring to the city.
The Atlanta Falcons are turning the page. Following a string of underwhelming seasons and organizational inconsistency, the franchise has ushered in a new era by appointing a fresh, fiery head coach who is already making his presence felt at Flowery Branch.
In a closed-door meeting with team management this week, the newly acquired head coach delivered a clear, unwavering message: “Together we can rise again.” But along with this rallying cry, he laid out a list of firm “dos and don’ts” — a personal blueprint for restoring the Falcons to prominence.
Sources close to the team say the coach emphasized accountability as the bedrock of his regime. “Do expect a culture of responsibility. Do expect players, staff, and executives to be held to the highest standards — no exceptions,” he reportedly told team executives. For a franchise that has struggled to maintain consistency since its Super Bowl LI collapse, this is the type of culture shock the locker room desperately needs.
He emphasized a hands-on approach, making it clear he intends to build relationships with every player, not just the stars. “Do create open lines of communication — I want to know what makes each guy tick,” he said. His approach contrasts with previous regimes where distance between players and coaches often led to breakdowns in performance and trust.
Just as telling as his “dos” were the coach’s “don’ts.” He reportedly issued a firm warning about complacency. “Don’t come in thinking last year’s stats or contracts guarantee you a spot,” he said. “We earn it every day. The jersey is rented — it’s not owned.”
He also placed heavy emphasis on humility. “Don’t bring ego into this building,” he cautioned. “It’s not about individual accolades — it’s about building a legacy together.”
That statement seems to directly target some of the criticisms levied at previous Falcons rosters, where chemistry issues and underachieving stars plagued the team in crucial moments. This new coach, though yet to be officially named in press releases, is reportedly known for transforming locker rooms and demanding team-first mentalities.
A refreshing “do” on his list was his commitment to embracing youth and innovation. “Do give the young guys a real shot. Do lean into analytics and film study. We coach smart, not just hard.”
The Falcons’ recent drafts have been filled with potential, and this coach seems determined not to let it go to waste. Whether it’s third-year tight end Kyle Pitts, emerging running back Bijan Robinson, or a defense flush with unproven talent, this head coach wants to build around hungry, teachable players.
He also stated that he will be working closely with the front office to ensure that free agent and trade acquisitions align with his values. “Don’t bring in a name just for the sake of a splash,” he reportedly told GM Terry Fontenot. “Bring in warriors. Bring in culture-builders.”
Ultimately, the coach closed the meeting with a bold but sincere challenge: “Together we can rise again — but only if every person in this building buys in. No passengers. Everyone pulls their weight.”
His words were met with strong support from ownership and executives, who believe this new leader has the temperament and strategy to steer the Falcons back to respectability — and potentially beyond.
The fans, weary of mediocrity but ever hopeful, have already begun buzzing with cautious optimism. Whether the new coach can deliver on his bold promises remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this is no longer business as usual in Atlanta.