The new Atlanta Falcons coaching staff is taking shape. After reaching a deal with former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to be their new head coachAtlanta announced its coordinators on Monday.
Zac Robinson was a big hire, who Morris brought with him from Los Angeles to be his offensive coordinator. Morris is also tapping Jimmy Lake, who served as the Rams’ assistant head coach in 2023, to become his new defensive coordinator. As for special teams coordinator, Morris retains Marquice Williams, who has been in Atlanta since 2021.
Let’s take a look at the three Atlanta coordinators who finalized this week’s hires.
Zac Robinson, offensive coordinator
Robinson is leaving the only team he has coached for in his entire career. The former quarterback selected by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft began his coaching career with the Rams in 2019 as an assistant quarterbacks coach and rose through the ranks until becoming match coordinator and quarters coach. Now he has the opportunity to call plays as a coordinator.
With Morris being a defensive leader, Robinson, 37, has an opportunity to show what he can do as an up-and-coming coach. He received several key playmakers, such as wide receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts.
Jimmy Lake, defensive coordinator
Lake only spent one year with the Rams as an assistant head coach. Previously, he served as the head coach of the Washington Huskies from 2020 to 2021. He went 7-6 overall, but was fired after shoving one of his players. Lake was with Washington from 2014 to 2021, working as a defensive assistant and defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2019.
Lake previously coached in the NFL, working with defensive backs for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. Lake and Morris worked together in Tampa Bay twice. Atlanta experienced a defensive turnaround last season, going from the sixth-worst defense in 2022 to the No. 11 defense in 2023. It’s unclear who will call the plays on defense.
Marquice Williams, special teams coordinator
Williams will enter his fourth season as the Falcons’ special teams coordinator. Previously, he worked as an assistant special teams coach for the Lions and a defensive assistant for the Los Angeles Chargers. Williams helped develop Younghoe Koo, who is considered one of the best kickers in the NFL.
