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Every Falcons head coach’s all-time record against the Saints

Dec 30, 2018; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2018; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

You'd be hard-pressed to come up with an NFL rivalry more competitive than the New Orleans Saints' decades-long grudge match with the Atlanta Falcons. It's all tied up 55-55 going into the 2024 season (not counting Atlanta's single win in the playoffs, which would put them ahead). Can Raheem Morris tip the scales in the Falcons' favor in his second try as their head coach? His resume isn't much different from Dennis Allen's.

Here's how every Falcons head coach has done against the Saints in this long-running rivalry series:

Raheem Morris (2020, 2024-Present)

Dec 18, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons assistant head coach Raheem Morris during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons assistant head coach Raheem Morris during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Morris was named Atlanta’s interim head coach in 2020 after Dan Quinn was dismissed following an 0-5 start to the season; his replacement ended the year with a 4-7 record, losing both games with the Saints by scores of 24-9 (in New Orleans) and 21-16 (in Atlanta). Coincidentally, Morris is one of the few head coaches to have lost games to the Saints with multiple different franchises — he went 3-3 against them as the Buccaneers head coach from 2009 to 2011. The Falcons didn't want Morris as their head coach in 2020, but they came crawling back to him in 2024.

Arthur Smith (2021-2023): 2-4

Nov 7, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith yells at officials during the second half of their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith yells at officials during the second half of their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Smith never got the Falcons off the ground, going 7-10 three years in a row before being dismissed after a blowout loss to the Saints. Dennis Allen's postgame apology to Smith for his offense scoring too many points remains a divisive moment among Saints fans.

Dan Quinn (2015-2020): 4-6

Dec 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) with head coach Dan Quinn on the sidelines in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) with head coach Dan Quinn on the sidelines in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Quinn’s teams gave the Saints some real trouble, winning three in a row from 2016 (the same year they won the division title) to 2017. But they weren’t the same without Kyle Shanahan calling plays on offense, and it didn’t take the Saints long to strike back. New Orleans followed that three-game win streak by Atlanta with back-to-back-to-back wins of their own from 2017 to 2018.

Mike Smith (2008-2014): 5-9

Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith is shown on the sideline in the first quarter of their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Georgia Dome. The Steelers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith is shown on the sideline in the first quarter of their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Georgia Dome. The Steelers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The longest-tenured head coach in Falcons franchise history, Smith accomplished a 66-46 record across 112 games but never could get the better of the Saints, sweeping them just once — in his last year on the job. Smith also won his first game against New Orleans by a comfortable 34-20 margin, with his defense limiting Drew Brees and the Saints offense to just 6 points (off of two Garrett Hartley field goals) through the first three quarters.

Emmitt Thomas (2007): 0-0

Dec. 23, 2007; Glendale, AZ, USA; Atlanta Falcons interm head coach Emmitt Thomas against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 23, 2007; Glendale, AZ, USA; Atlanta Falcons interm head coach Emmitt Thomas against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Thomas never coached against the Saints, having been named the interim coach on the heels of Bobby Petrino’s surprise resignation following a 34-14 loss to New Orleans in prime-time.

Bobby Petrino (2007): 0-2

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Bobby Petrino of the Atlanta Falcons watches his team take on the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on October 21, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Falcons 22-16. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Bobby Petrino of the Atlanta Falcons watches his team take on the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on October 21, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Falcons 22-16. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

It didn’t take long for Petrino to get his fill of the NFL, losing both of his matchups with the Saints before bolting for the Arkansas job mid-season. A high-profile loss on Monday Night Football was enough for him to call it quits; the Saints rolled to a 34-14 victory powered by three Drew Brees touchdown passes (two to Marques Colston, and another to David Patten) with a win-sealing Roman Harper interception returned for a defensive touchdown in the second half.

Jim L. Mora (2004-2006): 3-3

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Jim Mora Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after a penaly against his team gave the Carolina Panthers a first down December 24, 2006 at The Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Jim Mora Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after a penaly against his team gave the Carolina Panthers a first down December 24, 2006 at The Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Mora, son of former Saints head coach Jim E. Mora, fared better against his dad’s old team than most of his successors — but the Saints helped show him the door with a crucial late-season loss in 2006 to help keep Atlanta out of the playoff race, starting with a 76-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees to Devery Henderson in the first quarter. New Orleans won 31-13 and the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention a few weeks later, with Mora’s dismissal soon to follow.

Wade Phillips (2003): 0-0

Atlanta Falcons coach Wade Phillips leaves the field after play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers December 20, 2003 at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida. The Falcons defeated the Bucs 30 - 28. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Atlanta Falcons coach Wade Phillips leaves the field after play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers December 20, 2003 at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida. The Falcons defeated the Bucs 30 - 28. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Another interim coach tasked with finishing a losing campaign, Phillips didn’t face the Saints during his three-game run to close out the 2003 season.

Dan Reeves (1997-2003): 9-3

Jan 31, 1999; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Reeves prior to the start of Super Bowl XXXIII against his former team, the Denver Broncos at Pro Player Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Falcons 34-19 earning their second consecutive Super Bowl title. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports © Copyright USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 1999; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Reeves prior to the start of Super Bowl XXXIII against his former team, the Denver Broncos at Pro Player Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Falcons 34-19 earning their second consecutive Super Bowl title. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports © Copyright USA TODAY Sports

One of two coaches to work 100-plus games for Atlanta (the other being Mike Smith), Reeves gave the Saints fits from the opening whistle, starting with a six-game win streak against New Orleans. But the Saints came through in the end, defeating Reeves in one of his last games with Atlanta: their defense pitched a second-half shutout, and a couple of short-yardage touchdown runs from Deuce McAllister helped force overtime, where John Carney came through with his third field goal to seal a big win.

June Jones (1994-1996): 4-2

1991, Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach June Jones (left) talks with quarterback Jeff George (1) during training camp. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
1991, Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach June Jones (left) talks with quarterback Jeff George (1) during training camp. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

Jones didn’t find immediate success against the Saints, getting swept in 1994, but he pulled off an overtime win in 1995 and kept up the momentum. But he clashed with his mentor Jerry Glanville on staff (replacing him as head coach didn’t help) as well as his quarterback Jeff George, and the Falcons dismissed Jones after a disappointing 3-13 season in 1996.

Jerry Glanville (1990-1993): 4-5

Nov 17, 1991; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville on the sideline against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 1991; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville on the sideline against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

Maybe best known for weaponizing Deion Sanders on special teams and shipping Brett Favre out to Green Bay, Glanville annoyingly also won the first Saints-Falcons playoff game in 1991, by a final score of 27-20. New Orleans jumped out to a 10-0 lead but couldn’t hang onto it, with Bobby Hebert completing just 26 of 44 passes while throwing two interceptions in the loss. A fourth-quarter 61-yard touchdown pass over the top of the “Dome Patrol” defense was the last nail in their coffin.

Jim Hanifan (1989): 0-0

Aug 4, 1984; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; St. Louis Cardinals head coach Jim Hanifan on the sideline against the Chicago Bears during a pre-season game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 4, 1984; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; St. Louis Cardinals head coach Jim Hanifan on the sideline against the Chicago Bears during a pre-season game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports

Hanifan is another Falcons interim coach who didn’t work a game against the Saints, having taken over once Marion Campbell retired 12 games into the season. He’s best known for having coached the then-St. Louis Cardinals (before they moved to Arizona) in the early 1980’s.

Marion Campbell (1987-1989): 0-5

10 Sep 1989: Head coach Marion Campbell of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Rams won the game 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Allen Steele /Allsport
10 Sep 1989: Head coach Marion Campbell of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Rams won the game 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Allen Steele /Allsport

This was actually Campbell’s second stint with the Falcons as head coach, so we’ll focus on this stretch. He lost all five matchups with New Orleans, starting with a brutal 38-0 shutout in Atlanta in 1987. The Saints ran 42 times for 244 rushing yards and only attempted 26 passes in the big road win; Rueben Mayes led the team with 19 carries for 112 yards on the ground, while Dalton Hilliard scored two touchdown runs.

Dan Henning (1983-1986): 4-4

Oct 19, 1986; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Henning on the sideline against the San Francisco 49ers at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 1986; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Henning on the sideline against the San Francisco 49ers at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints and Falcons were both well behind the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams at this point, so it was a constant battle for third place within the old NFC West. And Henning’s teams were fairly evenly matched with New Orleans at the time. Of their eight meetings from 1983 to 1986, only two games were decided by more than seven points.

Leeman Bennett (1977-1982): 9-2

Sep 19, 1982; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach Leeman Bennett on the sideline against the Los Angeles Raiders at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 1982; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach Leeman Bennett on the sideline against the Los Angeles Raiders at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

Sheesh. Bennett strung together four- and five-game win streaks against the Saints during his tenure, only interrupted by a 37-6 Saints road win in Atlanta after Thanksgiving in 1979. New Orleans ran 39 times for 139 rushing yards as a team with Chuck Muncie, Tony Galbreath, and Michael Strachan each scoring touchdown runs, and Archie Manning capping things off with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Henry Childs in the fourth quarter.

Pat Peppler (1976): 1-0

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: A giant flag with the Atlanta Falcons logo is seen on the field against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: A giant flag with the Atlanta Falcons logo is seen on the field against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Peppler worked double-duty as Falcons general manager and interim head coach after Marion Campbell was dismissed early in the 1976 season, going 3-6 but defeating the Saints, 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys along the way.

Marion Campbell (1974-1976): 2-2

Dec 1974; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach Marion Campbell during the 1974 season. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1974; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach Marion Campbell during the 1974 season. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

Campbell’s first run as Falcons head coach lasted 25 games, and for the most part the Saints took care of business against him, outside of an embarrassing 30-0 home loss in 1976.

Norm Van Brocklin (1968-1974): 9-2

Unknown date & location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach Norm Van Brocklin on the sideline during the 1972 season. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date & location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons head coach Norm Van Brocklin on the sideline during the 1972 season. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

Van Brocklin found mixed success on the whole as Atlanta’s head coach (going 37-49-3) but he dominated the fledgling Saints whenever they matched up, which goes to show just how rudderless those early New Orleans teams were. It’s good to see how far they’ve come in the decades since.

Norb Hecker (1966-1968): 0-1

Sep 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons fans pass a logo flag across the stands during the game against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Saints 37-34 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons fans pass a logo flag across the stands during the game against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Saints 37-34 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Hecker was the first head coach for Atlanta, and he only faced off with the Saints once (losing 27-24 in 1967, New Orleans’ inaugural season, in which the black and gold went 3-11 on the year) before his dismissal early in the 1968 season.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Every Falcons head coach’s all-time record against the Saints