Less than a week after being fired as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Raheem Morris may already be getting a new gig. Dan Wiederer of the Star Tribune reports Morris interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings Friday to potentially become their new defensive coordinator. The Vikings have already started to shuffle things around this off-season, firing defensive line coach Karl Dunbar. At this time it’s not exactly known whether Morris would be an assistant defensive coach, or if he will be the head defensive coordinator. The current man in that position is Fred Pagac, and as of today he still has his job. One would have to assume that if the Vikes are interviewing Morris, there are big plans to re-tool the defense, which could certainly use it.
If you’re going to bring in a guy like Morris, it seems unlikely you bring him in the be a defensive assistant. He’s been a head coach in the league and certainly doesn’t deserve to be anything less than a coordinator. Morris has been an NFL defensive assistant since 2002 with Tampa Bay, before replacing Jon Gruden in 2009 as the head coach. He took a one year hiatus in 2006 to be the defensive coordinator for the Kansas State Wildcats, then returned to Tampa the following season.
Is Morris the right man for the Vikings defense? I say absolutely he is. Clearly what the Vikes have been doing isn’t working. The secondary is by far the weak spot on the defense, and that is Raheem’s strong suite. Morris played safety for Hofstra University from 1994-1997, and was in charge of the d-backs as an assistant with the Bucs. Minnesota has a strong defensive line anchored by All-Pro Jared Allen, and a premier linebacker in Chad Greenway. The problems lie in the secondary. With Morris leading the way, a solid 2012 NFL Draft, and some key free agent pickups, the Vikings could easily turn their ‘D’ around in 2012.
All I can say for sure is that the Vikings better act quick, because Morris has reportedly interviewed with the Redskins as well. Sure, Morris lost control of his team this year in route to losing 10 straight, but he’s clearly a talented young coach and has the potential to turn things around in Minnesota.
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Why does Raheem deserve to be a defensive coordinator? Has he ever been one? No, he hasn’t. He went from DB coach to head coach and that was a big mistake. For him to return to coaching DBs makes a lot of sense. He needs more time to mature as a coach and a person.