Worn football helmet with cracked mask sits on a Falcons seat with untied laces against a skyline and FALCONS lettering.

Falcons Fire Coach Morris, GM Fontenot After 8-9 Season

At a Glance

  • Falcons fire head coach Raheem Morris after an 8-9 season
  • GM Terry Fontenot also let go
  • Owner Arthur Blank announces search partners and future plans

The Atlanta Falcons announced a sweeping overhaul of their coaching and front-office staff after a disappointing 8-9 campaign, ending both the head coach and general manager positions.

Two football teams compare records on a gridiron with Falcons holding eight tied balls and Fontenot's team holding four

Head Coach and GM Departures

Owner Arthur Blank stated:

> The decision to move away from people who represent the organization so well and have a shared commitment to the values that are important to the organization is not an easy one, but the results on the field have not met our expectations or those of our fans and leadership.

  • ZRG Partners will assist in the head coach search
  • Sportsology Group will assist in the general manager search

Performance Record

Under Raheem Morris, the Falcons finished 8-9 in both seasons he coached. Under Terry Fontenot, the team went 36-48, with no winning seasons or playoff appearances.

Position Record Playoff Appearances
Head Coach 8-9 0
GM 36-48 0

Season Outcome and Division

The Falcons ended the season on a four-game winning streak and tied the division-leading record, while the Carolina Panthers secured the NFC South with an 8-9 record.

Future Outlook

  • The starting quarterback position remains uncertain after Michael Penix Jr. suffered a season-ending injury.
  • Offensive stars Drake London and Bijan Robinson called for Morris to stay following the Saints win, but the coaching change is final.
  • Atlanta remains attractive due to skill players on both sides of the ball.
  • The team has no first-round pick this year, as it goes to the Los Angeles Rams.

Key Takeaways

  • Falcons fire head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot after an 8-9 season.
  • Owner Arthur Blank names search partners ZRG Partners and Sportsology Group.
  • The team’s future hinges on finding fresh leadership and securing a new quarterback.

The Falcons’ overhaul signals a new direction as the franchise seeks to improve its performance and return to playoff contention.

Author

  • My name is Amanda S. Bennett, and I am a Los Angeles–based journalist covering local news and breaking developments that directly impact our communities.

    Amanda S. Bennett covers housing and urban development for News of Los Angeles, reporting on how policy, density, and displacement shape LA neighborhoods. A Cal State Long Beach journalism grad, she’s known for data-driven investigations grounded in on-the-street reporting.

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *