Atlanta Falcons Reject Bill Belichick as Head Coach, Citing Management Concerns

The Atlanta Falcons have made the prudent decision to pass on hiring Bill Belichick as their head coach, despite his impressive track record of six Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots. The Falcons recognized the potential difficulties that could arise from working with Belichick within the team's existing management structure.

Belichick was granted two interviews by the Falcons but was ultimately not named on any of the team's top three candidate lists. Instead, the Falcons hired Raheem Morris as their new head coach, with Mike Macdonald finishing second in the selection process. "The Falcons' decision-makers, including owner Arthur Blank and executives Rich McKay and Terry Fontenot, concluded that Belichick would have been 'more trouble than he was worth' and that his hiring would have disrupted the organization," according to sources familiar with the decision.

Why this matters: The Falcons' decision to reject Belichick highlights the importance of considering organizational fit and management dynamics when hiring a head coach, even one with a proven track record of success. This move could serve as a cautionary tale for other teams considering high-profile coaching hires.

The Falcons were tempted by Belichick's credentials but ultimately decided that his strong personality and management style might not be a good fit with the team's existing leadership. "Hiring the 72-year-old coach would have likely led to another coaching search soon, and the Falcons have had enough of those in recent years," a source close to the organization stated.

The New England Patriots have denied a report that owner Robert Kraft dissuaded Falcons owner Arthur Blank from hiring Belichick. ESPN reported that Kraft had two phone conversations with Blank about Belichick's potential fit as Atlanta's head coach and gave a "stark assessment" of Belichick's character, warning Blank not to trust him. However, a Patriots spokesman strongly denied the accusation, stating that Kraft actually advocated for Belichick to get the job.

The Falcons' decision to pass on Belichick was praised by many within the organization, who recognized that his presence would have overshadowed everyone else and potentially led to conflicts with the team's existing management structure. By hiring Raheem Morris, the Falcons have opted for a head coach who they believe will work well within their current organizational dynamics and help the team move forward without the risk of further disruptions.

Key Takeaways

• Falcons passed on hiring Bill Belichick as head coach due to organizational fit concerns.
• Belichick was granted interviews but not named a top-3 candidate, with Raheem Morris hired instead.
• Falcons believed Belichick would be "more trouble than he was worth" and disrupt the organization.
• Patriots denied report that owner Kraft dissuaded Falcons from hiring Belichick.
• Falcons' decision praised as prioritizing organizational dynamics over Belichick's coaching record.