Jerome Henderson, formally of the Dallas Cowboys, was hired by the Falcons as their defensive passing game coordinator on Monday, the team announced.
With the addition of Henderson, the Falcons moved Raheem Morris to the offensive side of the ball as the assistant head coach/wide receivers coach. Morris, a former head coach, was the assistant head coach/defensive passing game coordinator last season. He’ll get a chance to expand his resume by showing he has worked on both sides of the ball.
“I am excited about these moves and what they will do for our coaching staff,” said Falcons coach Dan Quinn. “I have known Raheem for over 19 years and I have no doubt his extensive background in the passing game will prove to be a tremendous asset to our offensive coaching staff. His experience, combined with his personality, makes him the perfect fit to take over this role.”
Henderson, 46, interviewed with the Falcons on Friday and accepted the position on Sunday.
“Coach Henderson brings an excellent understanding of the passing game in the NFL, and has proven his ability to develop players over his time in this league,” Quinn said. “He will be a great addition to our staff and I am looking forward to getting to work with both of these men in their new positions.”
Henderson was the Cowboys defensive backs coach since 2012. He interviewed for the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator job, which was filled internally by Todd Wash. He also interviewed for the Browns head coaching job, but was passed over for Hue Jackson.
He was the defensive backs coach (2008) and assistant defensive backs coach/director of player development (2007) with the Jets when Falcons coach Dan Quinn was the defensive line coach.
Henderson, who played in the NFL from 1991 to 1998 after a career at Clemson, has also coached with the Browns (2009-11).
The Falcons’ pass defense improved dramatically last season. In 2014, the Falcons gave up 279.9 yards passing per game, which was last in the league. Last season, the Falcons gave 242.2 yards passing per game, which ranked 15th in league.
The passing numbers improved despite the Falcons being last in the league with just 19 sacks. An improved pass rush and the continue development of cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford will help the defense.
Also, Ricardo Allen was in his first season transitioning to free safety. The Falcons will continue to try to develop cornerback Jalen Collins, who was drafted in the second round out of LSU, but struggled as a rookie.
Morris, 39, played under Falcons coach Dan Quinn in the late 1990s at Hofstra.
Morris coached in Washington from 2012-2014. He interviewed for the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator position in 2014, but did not get that job.
Morris was the head coach of the Buccaneers from 2009-11 and posted a 17-31 record.
Morris coached defensive backs and special teams at Cornell in 1999. He broke into the NFL as a quality control assistant with Tampa Bay in 2002.
The Falcons lost wide receiver coach Terry Robiskie, who left to join Mike Mularkey’s staff in Tennessee as the offensive coordinator.
About the Author
