Campus welcomes new coach

Just over a month after releasing former head coach Scotty Conley, A&M-Commerce Athletic Director Carlton Cooper, hired former Baylor University head coach Guy Morriss as the Lions Football head coach. His hiring was announced at a press conference in the new Sam Rayburn Student Center on Jan. 8.

A&M-Commerce President, Dr. Dan Jones, Cooper and Morriss were all in attendance.

Jones made opening remarks and introduced Cooper at the conference.

"A&M-Commerce is part of a tradition of greatness and excellence, and Coach Morriss will add to that and will enhance that and carry us to ever higher levels of achievement," Jones said.

Cooper talked about the search process and what went into the decision to hire Morriss.

He mentioned that former Texas A&M football coach Gene Stallings was instrumental in the hiring of Morriss.

"I know that we made the right choice in selecting Guy Morriss as our new head football coach," Cooper said. "When I came here, I had a vision for this program to be nationally recognized. Today is a true indication that we're staying the course and that we are focused on building a nationally recognized program."

Guy Morriss brings experience on every level. An offensive lineman in the NFL for fifteen years, Morriss participated in two Super Bowls. Following his pro career, he served as an offensive line coach for the New England Patriots. He served on the coaching staff of Valdosta State University, the Arizona Cardinals, the CFL's San Antonio Texans and Mississippi State before taking the head coaching spot at the University of Kentucky.

Morriss was the head coach of Kentucky for two years and then went on to coach Baylor University from 2003 to 2007. He was the offensive line coach at Kentucky State University in 2008.

Morriss has a reputation for being a good academic coach in that many of his students received all-conference academic honors. He emphasized this at the press conference.

"I spent 19 years in the pro leagues, and I've seen a lot of young men come out of college with no degrees," he said. "If there is any current players here, you better get ready, because Coach Morriss is the academic coach and you're going to get up and go to class. I can guarantee that."

He also mentioned reaching out to alumni.

"We're going to throw the doors open and try and get our alumni involved," Morriss said.

"Anybody here that's a former athlete, especially a former football player, know that you are welcome here at anytime. I have an open door policy and all you have to do is walk in the door."

Morriss said he had discussed returning players with Cooper, but confessed that he hadn't watched any film yet.

"I haven't seen any film, I have not spoken with any other person on campus other than Carlton about returning players... " he said. "We'll be looking for speed and athleticism in any and all positions."

The main question that is being asked of Morriss is "Can he win?" It is well known that he's a good academic coach, and his comments about alumni are important to the football program and the University in general, but his overall head coaching record is 27-54, with only one winning season. Time will tell whether or not this new direction is the right direction.

The Lions finished last season with a 5-5 record and a 3-2 conference record while under Scotty Connelly's administration and last season with the school.