Raheem Morris aims for a Super Bowl championship after a defeat that continues to deeply affect him.

Raheem Morris is determined to capitalize on his second chance as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, aiming to accomplish what eluded them during what he described as the most agonizing defeat of his career.

Morris, who was appointed as Atlanta’s coach on January 25, held his first press conference on Monday, coinciding with the seventh anniversary of the Falcons’ infamous loss in Super Bowl LI, squandering a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots. Morris, then an Atlanta assistant, vividly recalled the pain of that defeat and expressed his fervent desire to secure Atlanta’s first championship. Reflecting on his time as an assistant and interim head coach with the Falcons from 2015 to 2020, Morris acknowledged that the lingering anguish from the Super Bowl loss is deeply ingrained in his return to the team.

“The loss in 2016 remains as painful as any I’ve experienced,” Morris admitted, labeling it the most devastating setback of his career.

Having tasted Super Bowl success as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 season, Morris is now driven to redeem himself and the Falcons, envisioning owner Arthur Blank and former Falcons running back Warrick Dunn lifting the coveted trophy.

Blank, who was absent from the press conference due to a minor medical issue, had also interviewed former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl winner, before Morris was appointed. Despite acknowledging Belichick’s illustrious career, Morris expressed no resentment over the preference for Belichick, underscoring his respect for the legendary coach.

The decision to hire Morris over Belichick was unanimous among Blank and other decision-makers after an exhaustive search that included interviews with 14 candidates, including former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel.

Morris, who previously served as the Falcons’ interim coach in 2020, compiled a record of 4-7 during his tenure, bringing his overall coaching record to 21-38, including his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His hiring follows the dismissal of Arthur Smith, who led the team to three consecutive 7-10 seasons before being let go. Rich McKay, who previously played a prominent role in football-related matters for the Falcons, will now shift his focus to lead Atlanta United of Major League Soccer, another venture owned by Blank.

On Monday, Greg Beadles stepped in for Arthur Blank, joining Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot at the lectern. Rich McKay was present in the audience but was not available for interviews.

As a reflection of the team’s revamped power dynamics, Fontenot revealed that he was granted authority to spearhead the coaching search, with Blank holding the ultimate decision-making power.

Morris stands as the first permanent black head coach in Falcons history. Both Morris and Fontenot, who is also black, will report directly to Blank.

In attendance were Morris’ wife, children, and parents, underscoring the significance of his historic appointment. Despite the milestone, Morris noted that the topic of his race was not even broached during the hiring process.

Morris is bringing on offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake from the Rams’ staff, while retaining special teams coach Marquice Williams from the Falcons. He stated that Robinson and Lake will handle play-calling duties.

Regarding the future quarterback situation for the Falcons, Morris indicated that he and Fontenot have only had preliminary discussions, particularly in light of Smith’s alternating between Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke during the 2023 season.

When asked about the strengths of the Falcons’ offense, Morris swiftly singled out the team’s last two first-round draft picks, Drake London and Bijan Robinson, highlighting their potential impact.

Fontenot acknowledged Smith’s role in building the roster, noting that the team is now in a different position as they aim for their first championship under a new coaching regime. He expressed confidence in Morris, who also won a Super Bowl as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, stating their intention to secure another championship together.