Guy Morriss
Encyclopedia
Guy W. Morriss is an American football
coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Texas A&M University–Commerce
, a position he has held since the 2009 season. Morriss served as the head football coach at the University of Kentucky
for two seasons (2001–2002) and at Baylor University
for five seasons (2003–2007). He played college football
at Texas Christian University
and spent 15 seasons as an offensive lineman in NFL
with the Philadelphia Eagles
(1973–1983) and the New England Patriots
(1984–1987). Morris played in over 200 regular season games during his NFL career and started at center
for the Eagles in Super Bowl XV
.
in Arlington, Texas
and later Texas Christian University
in Fort Worth, Texas
. A second round selection in the 1973 NFL Draft
, he was a Pro Bowl
center
in the National Football League
, where he played with the Philadelphia Eagles
from 1973 to 1983, and the New England Patriots
from 1984 to 1987.
. In 1992, after a brief stint as the head coach of the Washington Marauders of the Professional Spring Football League
, Morriss coached under Hal Mumme
and alongside Mike Leach at Valdosta State University
before re-joining Mumme at Kentucky in 1997, where he was the school's offensive line and assistant head coach.
Guy Morriss was the losing coach in the famed "Bluegrass Miracle
" game at Commonwealth Stadium
in 2002. Morriss' Kentucky Wildcats kicked a field goal
to take the lead over LSU
with 11 seconds left, only to lose on an 80 yard Hail Mary pass
as time expired. Seconds before the Hail Mary, Morriss was doused with Gatorade
by quarterback
Jared Lorenzen
in (what turned out to be) a premature "victory bath."
contests. Morriss's first season in 2003 (3–9) was rough but was highlighted by an upset win over Colorado
(CU was a 20 point favorite). Morriss's second season in 2004 again only led to three wins and one conference win, but Morriss gained fan and alumni support with the team's 35–34 overtime
upset win over #16 Texas A&M
(a 25-point favorite), in which Morriss made a gutsy call to "go for two
" to win in the first overtime, instead of kicking the extra point
and forcing a second overtime. It was BU's first win over the Aggies since 1985 (they tied in 1990). Morriss's third season in 2005 produced a 5–6 record (BU's best since 1995) and featured BU's first ever road win over a Big 12 Conference opponent, a 23–13 victory over Iowa State
in Ames
).
In 2006, the fourth year of the Morriss era, BU had a roller coaster season. After a disappointing 1–3 non-conference mark (including a loss at home to Army
), BU rebounded with a 3–1 start in conference play. However, the momentum was stunted when quarterback
Shawn Bell was injured in a loss to Texas A&M, and Baylor was subsequently blown out in their final three games by an average margin of 34 points, finishing the year at 4–8 (3–5 in the Big 12).
In 2007, Morriss failed again failed to produce a winning record for the Bears, as Baylor finished with a 3–9 record. The loss of a significant number of seniors, including Bell, was part of the blame for the poor season. In the season opener, Baylor was shut out
by TCU
, 27–0, but managed to win the next three non-conference games. Afterwards, Baylor did not defeat any of its Big 12 opponents, their last defeat being the 12th consecutive loss in Big 12 play.
On November 18, 2007, Baylor fired Morriss. On November 28, 2007, former University of Houston
head coach Art Briles
replaced Morriss.
. Morriss was the first person with coaching experience in a BCS conference to go to work in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference(a division II league consisting of historically black colleges and universities).
After Morriss's first season, players from his football team coordinated an effort to illegally remove all copies of a student newspaper from campus because it contained an unfavorable article about a teammate who had been arrested on drug charges. Morriss said that he was "proud" of his players for taking the newspapers. He also referred to the theft as "the best team building exercise we have ever done." Morriss was subsequently disciplined by the school administration over the incident.
heritage. His first comment to the press when accepting the Baylor job was yelling "It's good to be back in the Lone Star." Baylor even put that phrase on their pocket schedules for 2003. Also, Morriss told FOX Sports that when his future wife asked him what nationality he was, he replied "I'm a Texan."
According to news from The Advocate-Messenger
of Danville, Kentucky
, prior to taking the offensive line coach job at Kentucky State, Morriss was in talks with Boyle County High School for the head coaching job there but decided not to take it.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Texas A&M University–Commerce
Texas A&M University–Commerce
Texas A&M University–Commerce is a state university located in Commerce, Texas and a member of the Texas A&M University System, the second largest university within the system behind Texas A&M University in College Station....
, a position he has held since the 2009 season. Morriss served as the head football coach at the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
for two seasons (2001–2002) and at Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
for five seasons (2003–2007). He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
and spent 15 seasons as an offensive lineman in NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
with the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
(1973–1983) and the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
(1984–1987). Morris played in over 200 regular season games during his NFL career and started at center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
for the Eagles in Super Bowl XV
Super Bowl XV
Super Bowl XV was an American football game played on January 25, 1981 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1980 regular season...
.
Playing career
Morriss attended Sam Houston High SchoolSam Houston High School (Arlington, Texas)
Sam Houston High School is a secondary school serving grades 9-12 students who live in the eastern part of Arlington, Texas and the western part of Grand Prairie, Texas. It is part of the Arlington Independent School District, in Arlington, Texas...
in Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
and later Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
. A second round selection in the 1973 NFL Draft
1973 NFL Draft
The 1973 National Football League Draft was held on January 30–31, 1973.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
, he was a Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, where he played with the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
from 1973 to 1983, and the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
from 1984 to 1987.
Early career
Morriss got his coaching start in 1988 as the offensive line coach for the Patriots under Raymond BerryRaymond Berry
Raymond Emmett Berry is a former football wide receiver. He played for the Baltimore Colts during their two NFL championship wins. He later had a career in coaching, highlighted by his trip to Super Bowl XX as head coach of the New England Patriots...
. In 1992, after a brief stint as the head coach of the Washington Marauders of the Professional Spring Football League
Professional Spring Football League
The Professional Spring Football League was an outdoor football league slated to begin in 1992. The league had a preview show on SportsChannel America in late 1991/early 1992, laying out the ten teams that would play. The league was founded by Vincent Sette, a computer sales executive...
, Morriss coached under Hal Mumme
Hal Mumme
Hal Clay Mumme is an American college football coach. He is currently the head coach at McMurry University.- Playing career :...
and alongside Mike Leach at Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University, also referred to as VSU, or Valdosta State, is an American public university and is one of the two regional universities in the University System of Georgia. Valdosta State is located on a campus at the heart of the city of Valdosta...
before re-joining Mumme at Kentucky in 1997, where he was the school's offensive line and assistant head coach.
Kentucky
After a recruiting scandal forced the resignation of Mumme at Kentucky, Morriss was named the school's interim head coach in 2001. After a 2–9 season, Kentucky named Morriss the school's permanent head coach, where he led the Wildcats to a 7–5 turnaround season in 2002.Guy Morriss was the losing coach in the famed "Bluegrass Miracle
Bluegrass Miracle
The "Bluegrass Miracle" refers to one of the most improbable finishes in NCAA college football history. It was a 74-yard game-winning touchdown pass by the #14 LSU Tigers with no time left on the clock against the Kentucky Wildcats on November 9, 2002 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington,...
" game at Commonwealth Stadium
Commonwealth Stadium (Kentucky)
Commonwealth Stadium is the name of a stadium in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. This stadium, named for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is located on the campus of the University of Kentucky and is the home field for the school's football team, replacing the smaller Stoll Field/McLean Stadium. The field...
in 2002. Morriss' Kentucky Wildcats kicked a field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
to take the lead over LSU
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
with 11 seconds left, only to lose on an 80 yard Hail Mary pass
Hail Mary pass
A Hail Mary pass or Hail Mary route in American football refers to any very long forward pass made in desperation with only a small chance of success, especially at or near the end of a half....
as time expired. Seconds before the Hail Mary, Morriss was doused with Gatorade
Gatorade
Gatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
by quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Jared Lorenzen
Jared Lorenzen
Jared Raymond Lorenzen is a former professional football quarterback, who is currently the commissioner of the Ultimate Indoor Football League. He most recently played for the Northern Kentucky River Monsters. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
in (what turned out to be) a premature "victory bath."
Baylor
Morriss took over a Baylor program that had hit the skids. The Bears hadn't had a winning season since 1995, and had posted only one conference victory in its previous 36 Big 12Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
contests. Morriss's first season in 2003 (3–9) was rough but was highlighted by an upset win over Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
(CU was a 20 point favorite). Morriss's second season in 2004 again only led to three wins and one conference win, but Morriss gained fan and alumni support with the team's 35–34 overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
upset win over #16 Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
(a 25-point favorite), in which Morriss made a gutsy call to "go for two
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
" to win in the first overtime, instead of kicking the extra point
Extra Point
Extra Point is a twice-daily, two-minute segment on ESPN Radio that covers generic sports-related topical news and opinion. The AM edition airs Monday through Saturday at various times between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, and the PM edition airs Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET...
and forcing a second overtime. It was BU's first win over the Aggies since 1985 (they tied in 1990). Morriss's third season in 2005 produced a 5–6 record (BU's best since 1995) and featured BU's first ever road win over a Big 12 Conference opponent, a 23–13 victory over Iowa State
Iowa State Cyclones football
The Iowa State Cyclones football team represents Iowa State University in college football. The Cyclones compete in the Big 12 Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. ISU started playing football in 1892, however, it did not become an official sport until 1894...
in Ames
Ames, Iowa
Ames is a city located in the central part of the U.S. state of Iowa in Story County, and approximately north of Des Moines. The U.S. Census Bureau designates that Ames, Iowa metropolitan statistical area as encompassing all of Story County, and which, when combined with the Boone, Iowa...
).
In 2006, the fourth year of the Morriss era, BU had a roller coaster season. After a disappointing 1–3 non-conference mark (including a loss at home to Army
Army Black Knights football
The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946....
), BU rebounded with a 3–1 start in conference play. However, the momentum was stunted when quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Shawn Bell was injured in a loss to Texas A&M, and Baylor was subsequently blown out in their final three games by an average margin of 34 points, finishing the year at 4–8 (3–5 in the Big 12).
In 2007, Morriss failed again failed to produce a winning record for the Bears, as Baylor finished with a 3–9 record. The loss of a significant number of seniors, including Bell, was part of the blame for the poor season. In the season opener, Baylor was shut out
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
by TCU
TCU Horned Frogs football
The TCU Horned Frogs football team is the intercollegiate football team of Texas Christian University. TCU competes as a member of the Mountain West Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, but will move to the Big 12 Conference for the 2012 season. TCU began playing football...
, 27–0, but managed to win the next three non-conference games. Afterwards, Baylor did not defeat any of its Big 12 opponents, their last defeat being the 12th consecutive loss in Big 12 play.
On November 18, 2007, Baylor fired Morriss. On November 28, 2007, former University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
head coach Art Briles
Art Briles
Arthur Ray Briles is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Baylor University, a position he has held since the 2008 season. From 2002 to 2007, Briles was the head coach at the University of Houston.-Playing career:A native of Rule, Texas, Briles...
replaced Morriss.
Kentucky State
In March 2008, Morriss accepted a job as a position coach at Kentucky State UniversityKentucky State University
Kentucky State University is a four-year institution of higher learning, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, United States, the Commonwealth's capital. The school is an historically black university, which desegregated in 1954...
. Morriss was the first person with coaching experience in a BCS conference to go to work in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference(a division II league consisting of historically black colleges and universities).
Texas A&M Commerce
On January 7, 2009, Morriss took the job at head football coach at Texas A&M–Commerce.After Morriss's first season, players from his football team coordinated an effort to illegally remove all copies of a student newspaper from campus because it contained an unfavorable article about a teammate who had been arrested on drug charges. Morriss said that he was "proud" of his players for taking the newspapers. He also referred to the theft as "the best team building exercise we have ever done." Morriss was subsequently disciplined by the school administration over the incident.
Personal
Morriss is known to be proud of his TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
heritage. His first comment to the press when accepting the Baylor job was yelling "It's good to be back in the Lone Star." Baylor even put that phrase on their pocket schedules for 2003. Also, Morriss told FOX Sports that when his future wife asked him what nationality he was, he replied "I'm a Texan."
According to news from The Advocate-Messenger
The Advocate-Messenger
The Advocate-Messenger is a newspaper published daily in Danville, Kentucky. On Sundays, The Advocate-Messenger is called The Kentucky Advocate.The newspaper serves central Kentucky, with distribution primarily inBoyle,Lincoln,...
of Danville, Kentucky
Danville, Kentucky
Danville is a city in and the county seat of Boyle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 16,218 at the 2010 census.Danville is the principal city of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Boyle and Lincoln counties....
, prior to taking the offensive line coach job at Kentucky State, Morriss was in talks with Boyle County High School for the head coaching job there but decided not to take it.