atlanta ga, January 5, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons have dismissed Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot after a lackluster 8-9 season. This leadership transition follows a season-end victory over the New Orleans Saints and signals a critical reset for the franchise. The Falcons will undertake searches for new leadership as they aim to revive their competitive edge and seek postseason success.
Atlanta
The Atlanta Falcons organization has initiated a significant leadership transition, dismissing both Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot. This decision, conveyed by Falcons Owner and Chairman Arthur M. Blank, was made on Sunday evening, hours after the team concluded its 2025 regular season with a victory over the New Orleans Saints. Despite ending the season on a four-game winning streak and achieving an 8-9 record for the second consecutive year, the Falcons did not secure a postseason berth, leading to the change in executive leadership. The franchise will now undertake concurrent searches to fill both the head coach and general manager positions, signaling a comprehensive overhaul aimed at guiding the team toward renewed competitive success.
The Trajectory of the 2025 Season
The 2025 season unfolded with a distinct arc for the Atlanta Falcons. After an optimistic start, the team endured a challenging midseason period, marked by a five-game losing streak. This downturn significantly diminished their playoff prospects, creating a sense of urgency as the season progressed. Despite these struggles, the team demonstrated resilience in its final contests, securing four consecutive victories, including a decisive 19-17 win against the New Orleans Saints in the season finale. However, this late surge proved insufficient to alter their ultimate fate. The Falcons finished with an 8-9 record, mirroring their performance from the previous season. This record, while improved by the late wins, placed them in a three-way tie atop the NFC South division with the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Through tiebreaker rules, the Carolina Panthers ultimately clinched the NFC South title, marking their first division title in a decade and their first playoff berth since 2017. The Falcons were officially eliminated from playoff contention following a Week 14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Tenures and Organizational Context
Raheem Morris served as the Falcons’ head coach for two seasons, leading the team to identical 8-9 records in both 2024 and 2025. His overall coaching record in Atlanta stands at 16-18, with no playoff appearances during this tenure. Morris’s career with the Falcons also included an interim head coaching role for the final 11 games of the 2020 season, where the team posted a 4-7 record. Prior to his full-time head coaching position in Atlanta, Morris was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, contributing to their Super Bowl LVI victory.
Terry Fontenot’s tenure as general manager spanned five seasons, beginning in 2021. During his leadership, the Falcons did not achieve a winning record, compiling a cumulative record of 36-48 (or 37-48 depending on the source) and failing to reach the postseason. Fontenot was the first Black general manager in Falcons history. His time in Atlanta was characterized by efforts to rebuild the roster, including significant investments at the quarterback position, such as signing Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix Jr. The team’s defense in 2025 set a new franchise record with 57 sacks, a notable achievement during a season that ultimately concluded with leadership changes.
The Path Forward for the Franchise
The decision to part ways with both the head coach and general manager signals a clear intent from Falcons ownership to recalibrate the team’s direction. Arthur M. Blank expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication of both Morris and Fontenot, while emphasizing the need for new leadership to meet the organization’s expectations and those of its fanbase. The immediate focus for the Atlanta Falcons now shifts to identifying and appointing new individuals to these critical roles. Consulting firms, ZRG Partners and Sportsology Group, have been retained to assist in the concurrent searches for the new head coach and general manager, respectively. This period of transition will be closely watched as the Falcons endeavor to establish a new foundation for future seasons, seeking to translate talent into sustained on-field success and a return to the playoffs, a goal that has eluded the franchise since 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What significant leadership changes occurred for the Atlanta Falcons?
- The Atlanta Falcons dismissed both Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot.
- When did these leadership changes take place?
- The decision was made on Sunday evening, hours after the team concluded its 2025 regular season.
- What was the Falcons’ record in the 2025 season?
- The Falcons finished the 2025 season with an 8-9 record.
- Why were the Head Coach and General Manager dismissed?
- Despite a late-season four-game winning streak, the team experienced a prior five-game losing streak and did not secure a postseason berth, leading to the decision to seek new leadership.
- Who won the NFC South division title in 2025?
- The Carolina Panthers ultimately clinched the NFC South title due to tiebreaker rules, despite a three-way tie with the Falcons and Buccaneers.
- How long was Raheem Morris the head coach of the Falcons?
- Raheem Morris served as the Falcons’ head coach for two seasons (2024 and 2025).
- How long was Terry Fontenot the general manager of the Falcons?
- Terry Fontenot’s tenure as general manager spanned five seasons, beginning in 2021.
- What steps are being taken to find new leadership?
- The franchise will undertake concurrent searches to fill both the head coach and general manager positions, with ZRG Partners assisting in the head coach search and Sportsology Group assisting in the general manager search.
Key Aspects of Atlanta Falcons’ Recent Leadership Change
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Decision | Dismissal of Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot. |
| Timing | Sunday evening, January 4, 2026, hours after the 2025 season finale. |
| 2025 Season Record | 8-9, no postseason berth. |
| Morris’s Tenure | Two seasons as head coach (2024-2025), 16-18 record. |
| Fontenot’s Tenure | Five seasons as general manager (2021-2025), 36-48 or 37-48 record. |
| Division Outcome | Carolina Panthers clinched NFC South title via tiebreakers. |
| Future Action | Concurrent searches for new head coach and general manager with assistance from ZRG Partners and Sportsology Group. |
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