The 49ers are turning to a familiar face in NFL circles to lead their defense, as they’re expected to hire Raheem Morris as their next defensive coordinator. The move comes as San Francisco looks to fill the role vacated once again by Robert Saleh, who’s off to take the head coaching job at the University of Tennessee.
This marks the second time the Niners have had to replace Saleh, and this time they’re bringing in a coach with deep experience and a long résumé that spans multiple franchises and roles. Morris, 49, has worn a lot of hats in his NFL journey - from defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator to head coach - and now he’ll bring that wealth of knowledge to a 49ers defense that’s been one of the league’s most consistent units in recent years.
Before landing in San Francisco, Morris most recently served as the Falcons’ head coach, a position he held from 2024 until the end of the 2025 season. His second stint as a full-time head coach ended with a 16-18 record, and while things didn’t pan out long-term in Atlanta, Morris remains one of the more respected defensive minds in the league.
His coaching roots go back to Hofstra, where he got his start as a graduate assistant in 1998. From there, he climbed the NFL ladder quickly.
The Buccaneers gave him his first NFL opportunity as a defensive quality control coach, and by 2009 he was their head coach. Though his tenure in Tampa Bay lasted just three seasons, it helped establish him as a versatile and adaptable coach - traits that have defined his career ever since.
After Tampa, Morris spent time in Washington before joining the Falcons in 2015 as assistant head coach and defensive backs coach. He later took over as interim head coach in 2020 before moving on to the Rams, where he served as defensive coordinator. That Rams defense under Morris played fast, physical football - and it’s that same mindset he’ll likely bring to San Francisco.
The 49ers also considered internal candidate Gus Bradley, currently the team’s assistant head coach, as well as Raiders pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Joe Woods. But ultimately, they opted for Morris, whose experience and leadership could be the perfect fit for a defense that still boasts elite talent at every level.
Now the question becomes: how will Morris shape this defense? With a strong front seven, elite linebackers, and a secondary that’s shown flashes of dominance, Morris inherits a group that doesn’t need a rebuild - just a steady hand and a fresh perspective. If he can bring the best out of this unit, the 49ers might not skip a beat.