Raheem Morris said he turned down chance to be Vikings' coordinator
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As it turns out, Mel Tucker wasn't the only candidate to turn down the opportunity to become the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator before Alan Williams accepted the position.
Raheem Morris, who was fired as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach after the season, told the Washington Post he declined the Vikings' offer because he had accepted the job as the Redskins' defensive backs coach the previous day.
Morris said he did not want to go back on his word, even though the Vikings were offering a more attractive position. Morris explained that after interviewing in Minnesota he left with no offer and expected that Tucker would get the job.
Morris then accepted the Redskins offer on Jan. 11. That came on the same day Tucker turned down the Vikings and decided to remain defensive coordinator in Jacksonville under new coach Mike Mularkey. On Jan. 12, the Vikings called Morris and offered him the chance to be their defensive coordinator.
Morris said no.
"A lot of people might think it's a missed opportunity not going to Minnesota after they offered, but I believe that in this game, all you have is your word and your tape, and I gave these guys my word, and I wanted to come here and help them this year, and I was going to do it," Morris told the Post.
Morris added that he is having no second thoughts. "Can't ever think like that in this business," he said. "It's about being honest and upfront with people, and I feel like I handled it with class."
