For NFL’s only Black GM-head coach duo, firings show quarterback matters most

A little more than a month after guaranteeing free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins $100 million, the Atlanta Falcons shook up the 2024 NFL draft by selecting passer Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick.

On the heels of committing to Cousins, the drafting of Penix was a shocker, and the unspoken part was clear: For general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris, the major moves had better work – or else.

Two seasons later, the bold plan blew up in their faces.

The seeds of the housecleaning that occurred Sunday night in Atlanta – when Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank fired both Fontenot and Morris – were planted during that fateful six-week window. Other franchises also moved quickly this week to make head coaching changes.

The Baltimore Ravens fired Super Bowl-winner John Harbaugh after 18 seasons as head coach. The Cleveland Browns fired Kevin Stefanski. After only one season, the Las Vegas Raiders sacked Super Bowl-winner Pete Carroll, and the Arizona Cardinals ousted Jonathan Gannon. In October, the Tennessee Titans cut ties with Brian Callahan, and the New York Giants fired Brian Daboll in November. The Miami Dolphins and longtime general manager Chris Grier mutually agreed to part ways in October.

However, Blank stands alone among franchise owners this hiring cycle in making a clean sweep of his top leaders. The league’s only Black GM-head coach duo this season and one of only three in NFL history, Fontenot and Morris led teams that finished 8-9 the past two seasons.

Undoubtedly, though, their mishandling of the most important position in sports played a major role in Blank’s decision to start over in the front office and on the field.

During the 2024 offseason, the Falcons seemed set at quarterback after reaching a deal with Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler who appeared in five playoff games while with the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings. Morris was part of Washington’s coaching staff when Cousins was drafted into the NFL.

Then, Fontenot and Morris fell in love with Penix’s game during the pre-draft process. Believing Penix – despite his history of major injuries, especially knee problems – was simply too talented to pass up regardless of their commitment to Cousins, Fontenot and Morris went all in on the present and the future, getting buy-in from Blank.

Atop the Falcons’ depth chart last season, Cousins tied for the league lead with 16 interceptions. Penix started the final three games, stirring hope by flashing the talent Fontenot and Morris had bet big on.

Anointed as the starter this season, Penix struggled after switching roles with Cousins. He went 3-6 in nine starts and suffered a partially torn left ACL in Week 11, ending his season. During his college career, Penix twice tore his right ACL. All told, he has now experienced five season-ending injuries in college and the NFL.

Penix underwent knee surgery in late November. Generally, rehabilitation time for the procedure is nine months to a year. Barring unforeseen complications, Penix is expected to return next season to an organization that will be much different from the one he entered.

In five seasons under Fontenot, who was previously the New Orleans Saints’ assistant general manager and vice president of pro personnel, Atlanta went 37-48 with no winning records and no playoff appearances.

Morris completed two full seasons as the Falcons’ on-field leader. Combined with his time as Atlanta’s interim head coach in the 2020 season, he leaves the organization with a mark of 20-25. Earlier in his career, Morris went 17-31 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has never led a team to the postseason. Fontenot is widely respected in the league for being a top player-personnel official who has a keen eye for evaluating talent. Morris is a proven defensive coordinator – he led the Rams’ defense in the team’s Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals – who’s known for bonding with players and helping them maximize their skills.

The NFL has only four Black head coaches: Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets, DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans and Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins identifies as biracial.

There are four Black general managers: Kwesi Adofo-Mensah of the Minnesota Vikings, Andrew Berry of the Cleveland Browns, Brad Holmes of the Detroit Lions and Ryan Poles of the Chicago Bears. This bears repeating: The NFL is a 32-team league.

Now, Fontenot and Morris will try to re-climb the career ladder. Having twice been fired as a head coach, the process figures to be tougher for Morris, especially in the current hiring climate in corporate America, N. Jeremi Duru fears.

Duru, a professor of sports law at American University in Washington, D.C., is regarded as one of the foremost experts on inclusive hiring and diversity issues in the NFL, particularly in matters of coaching and front-office opportunities. He wonders if the ongoing pushback against inclusion will have an adverse effect on candidates for NFL head coaching and executive openings in this cycle.

“This is a nervous time. As we wait to see who will be chosen to fill the vacant head coach and general manager positions, it is impossible to not think about the ugly narrative that’s gaining traction among so many in our nation that somehow pursuing equitable opportunity in hiring runs counter to pursuing excellence,” Duru wrote to Andscape in a text message. “We are seeing it in the corporate world and other areas. It is total nonsense, but it has gained ground.

“It is good to see that the [commissioner’s] office has stuck by its equitable opportunity initiatives. The issue is that each club makes its own hiring decisions, and the clubs have varied track records on pursuing equitable opportunity. There is reason to worry that some clubs won’t be as inclusive as they should in their searches, and that would lead to excellent candidates of color not receiving meaningful consideration for these jobs. That’s why it is a nervous time.”

After taking big swings on Cousins and Penix, Fontenot and Morris had reason to be nervous. Whether coaches and executives of color should worry that their career opportunities might shrink remains to be seen.

The post For NFL’s only Black GM-head coach duo, firings show quarterback matters most appeared first on Andscape.