Five things you need to know about Chad Morris
It’s official. Chad Morris was named the 33rd head football coach in University of Arkansas history Wednesday. Here are five things you should know about the Hogs’ new head man.
1. Background — Born on December 4, 1968 in Edgewood, Texas, Morris attended Texas A&M University and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in statistics in 1992 but did not play college football.
He and his wife, Paula, have two children, a daughter, Mackenzie, and son, Chandler. After 16 years as a head coach at the high school level in Texas, Morris entered the college ranks in 2010 as Tulsa’s offensive coordinator and associate head coach.
He guided the offense to among the nation’s best, a big reason Tulsa improved from 5-7 in 2009 to 10-3 in 2010.
Following the 2010 season he headed to Clemson as Dabo Swinney’s offensive coordinator from 2011-14. Morris went on to get his first head coaching job at SMU, where he spent the last three seasons.
2. Explosive Offense — In Morris’ eight seasons as either a head coach or offensive coordinator, his teams have racked up 46,975 yards of total offense for a 460.5 per game average.
At least once at each of his three stops, he’s produced a top-10 offense a total of four times. Likewise, he’s produced an offense that’s averaged 40 or more points per game in four different seasons.
Under Morris’ fast-paced, no-huddle spread attack, Clemson shattered 127 offensive records (89 individual; 38 team) from 2010-14.
The Tigers also posted the top three scoring seasons in school history, as well as four of the program’s top five passing seasons, during that time.
This season, SMU ranks among the top 15 in the FBS in scoring offense (40.2 points), total offense (493.8 yards) and passing yards (308 yards).
3. Turned It Around — During his three seasons at SMU (2015-17), Morris used his Texas recruiting roots and offensive prowess to take the Mustangs from a 1-11 campaign in 2013 before he took over to the program’s first bowl bid since 2012 with a 7-5 mark this season.
Morris’ offensive scheme was exactly what SMU needed, as it increased its scoring output by 16.7 points per game — the second-largest increase in the nation in 2015.
Even more impressive, Morris inherited an offense that ranked last (128th) in the FBS in scoring in 2014 (11.8) and turned it into the nation’s eighth-highest scoring offensive (40.1) in 2017.
4. Prominent Pupils — Morris was the primary recruiter for and aided in the development of former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, led the Tigers to a national title in 2017, and went on to become a first-round NFL draft pick by the Houston Texans.
At Clemson, Morris also coached players like Tajh Boyd (drafted by the New York Jets), Andre Ellington (Arizona Cardinals), DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans), Sammy Watkins (Los Angeles Rams), Martavis Bryant (Pittsburgh Steelers), Dwayne Allen (New England Patriots), Tyler Shatley (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Brandon Thomas (Jacksonville Jaguars).
5. Texas Ties — Morris became a legend in Texas during his 16 years as a head coach in the state. He won 82 percent of his games and led Lake Travis High School to back-to-back, undefeated (16-0) state championship seasons.
He won three state titles overall and played in six state championship games. He totaled a 169-38 record (.816) and earned Coach of the Year honors 11 times.
Not just a home run, but a grand slam hire by Hogs
After three weeks of agony for Razorback fans, there’s finally a new coach in place.
Chad Morris is the pick and if Bret Bielema was supposed to a home run hire back in December 2012, this one is a grand slam.
Back in 2012, those saying Bielema was a great hire weren’t looking very close. It was a bad fit from an experience and a scheme standpoint. Not that he was a bad coach — in the Midwest and Big 10 — but seriously out of place in the SEC.
Morris was considered one of the top candidates for every job that came around after about 2012. At that time, though, he hadn’t been a head coach at the college level and if Jeff Long hadn’t got a love letter from Bielema he might very well have been in the mix then the way things were going.
Instead he went to SMU and took over a program that was 1-11. Rebuilding that is no easy task. SMU has higher entrance requirements than Vanderbilt and they do not cut a break to get good athletes in school.
He got them to 7-5 by the third year and early predictions of people that follow the American Athletic Conference put the Mustangs as a nine or 10-win team next year.
Yeah, he was 14-22 over three years at SMU and many of The Great Unwashed will throw that around as justification that this is not a good hire.
The coach he compares most to in Razorback history is Ken Hatfield, who became the winningest coach ever at Arkansas. He did it with good athletes. Some were great, but there were a lot of good ones.
In Hatfield’s first three years at Air Force, he was 14-21-1. His fourth year was 10-2 before coming back to Fayetteville.
By all accounts from those who know him well, Morris is a great recruiter and, more importantly, he’s a winner.
In his career he has shown a willingness to completely change his approach if it means winning. When he took over at Stephenville a couple of years after Art Briles left, he was a Power-I coach.
That wasn’t working, so he got interested watching Darren McFadden in the Wildcat, spent a lot of time with Gus Malzahn and came up with a spread offense that evolved into what is called the “smashmouth spread.”
It’s similar in many respects to what Malzahn’s offense is and includes a passing game that will evoke memories of some things Bobby Petrino did at Arkansas from 2008-11.
The guess here is he will win.
We’ve been told he has a defensive coordinator lined up that’s going to be a familiar name and will be surprising.
And, no, I have no idea who that might be. I could spitball some names but honestly there’s nothing known about any of them.
From everyone I’ve talked to in several states, this is a coach that is universally respected by high school coaches and others across the spectrum. Not one negative comment, which is highly unusual.
That’s one nice change we haven’t seen around here in about a decade. Let’s face it, both Petrino and Bielema had issues with some high school coaches, particularly in Texas where the Hogs’ recruiting has tailed off badly over the last decade or so.
Chad Morris is, simply, a winner.
Best promotions for ‘The Best Show in Town’
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas will host five meets inside Barnhill Arena offering fans fun-filled themes and promotions for each of the home meets for the upcoming season.
Jan. 12 vs. Kentucky | Candyland
The Razorbacks’ home debut will feature a Candyland theme. The first 250 kids will receive candy bars with the chance of winning a special giveaway from 25 golden tickets. There will be a photo booth along with other candy themed giveaways throughout the meet.
Jan. 26 vs. Georgia | Pack The Barn, American Girl Doll Party
The Razorbacks will try and set a new home meet attendance record against Georgia as one of the most popular promotions from the past few years returns. The meet against the Bulldogs will feature six American Girl Doll giveaways and kids are encouraged to bring their own dolls to the meet.
Feb. 9 vs. Auburn | Daddy-Daughter Princess Date Night
The first 100 kids that attend Arkansas’ meet against Auburn will receive a light up tiara as costumed princesses will make appearances. Other princess-related promotions geared toward young girls will take place before and during the meet. All girls are encouraged to wear their favorite princess costumes as there will be an opportunity to take photos before the meet.
March 2 vs. Arizona | Pink Meet, Mommy-Daughter Girls Night Out
The annual Pink Meet will take place March 2 against Arizona as fans are encouraged to wear pink to support breast cancer awareness. Pink foam light sticks will be provided to fans as breast cancer survivors will be recognized during the opening ceremonies.
March 16 vs. Denver, Iowa State | Superhero Senior Night
A fan favorite from the 2017 season returns as all kids are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero. The first 150 fans will receive a free custom Razorback superhero cape.
Season Tickets
The ticket office is now accepting new season ticket purchases for the upcoming 2018 season before single meet tickets go on sale. Fans have the option to purchase reserved or general admission seating. Single meet tickets will go on sale at a later date. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Razorback Ticket Center at 1-800-982-4647 or by clicking here.
2018 Ticket Options
- $40 » Reserved Seating
- $25 » General Admission
Holidays With The Hogs
Arkansas will host its final intrasquad meet dubbed “Holidays With The Hogs” December 17 inside Barnhill Arena beginning at 5 p.m. The meet will be free and open to the public with doors opening at 4 p.m. It will be the first time the Razorbacks will perform and be judged in front of fans this season.
Hogs will host Charlotte on Thursday at Bud Walton
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas begins a three-game home stand hosting Charlotte on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas (5-3) follows up with a Sunday contest against Tulsa at 2 p.m., and hosts UT-Arlington on Sunday, Dec. 17. The Razorbacks travel to Arizona State on Dec. 21, wrapping up the pre-holiday games.
Scouting Arkansas
It sounds like a broken record but Devin Cosper and Malica Monk continue to be the engine of this Razorback team. The duo have both scored in double figures in all eight games this season.
Cosper leads the Southeastern Conference and ranks fourth in the nation in made 3-pointers, averaging 3.3 per game.
Monk ranks fourth in the SEC in scoring with 19.1 points per game and has had at least one made 3-pointer in every game this year.
Opponents, however, cannot sleep on the other players. Kiara Williams has grabbed double-digit rebounds in three games including a career-best 16 boards at Kansas.
Taylah Thomas ranks fifth among SEC freshmen with 6.4 rebounds per game. Jailyn Mason tallied her third, and second consecutive, double-digit scoring game at Kansas and has played key minutes in multiple positions.
Coach Mike Neighbors also brags on the successful defense played by Bailey Zimmerman. Zimmerman is often tasked with guarding the other team’s shooter and has shut several opponents down from long distance.
Scouting Charlotte
The 49ers enter the game with a 3-5 record after picking up a win over Coppin State last week.
Charlotte is in the midst of a tough schedule playing four consecutive road games and they have seven of eight games away from home.
Four players average double figures for Charlotte led by Amaya Ransom at 13.9 ppg. Laia Raventos (13.4), Octavia Wilson (11.1) and Nyil Jamison-Myers (10.3) also average double figures.
Promotions
Thursday vs. Charlotte
• First meeting between teams
• Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 student/youth general admission
• Chalk Talk about 6:35 p.m. before tip on the East Concourse
• Postgame team autograph session on the floor
Sunday vs. Tulsa
• Arkansas leads the series 20-3
• First 300 fans in attendance will receive a “Happy Holidays” t-shirt
• Teddy Bear Toss – get in free with a teddy bear that will be donated to the Salvation Army
• Sunday Funday – Youth 12-under get in free
• $5 tickets for adults
• Postgame team autograph session on the floor
Arkansas finalizes, announces deal with Morris
FAYETTEVILLE — Chad Morris has been named the 33rd head coach in Arkansas football history, announced by the University of Arkansas Department of Athletics Wednesday.
Morris agreed to a six-year contract and will make $3.5 million annually.
Per his employment agreement, he will also be eligible for additional compensation through retention payments and incentives.
The head coach at SMU the last three seasons after a four-year stint as the offensive coordinator at Clemson, Morris will be formally introduced on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. in Fayetteville.
QUOTABLES
Athletics Director Hunter Yurachek
“The future is tremendously bright at the University of Arkansas with the addition of Chad Morris. I am confident that Chad will bring an exciting brand of football, phenomenal student-athletes and championships to Fayetteville, and do it all with high integrity. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the incredible work of Julie Cromer Peoples in leading a comprehensive search and helping to bring a high caliber coach to Arkansas.”
Chancellor Dr. Joseph E. Steinmetz
“We are thrilled to welcome Chad, Paula and their children to the Arkansas family. I enjoyed getting to know him and I am confident that he is the right coach to lead us back to competing for SEC and national titles. Julie Cromer Peoples did an outstanding job conducting the search in her interim role and on behalf of the Razorbacks everywhere, I say, ‘thank you’ to Julie. I am pleased that Hunter Yurachek had the opportunity to be involved in the final decision and offer and we cannot wait to have Chad leading our program.”
Senior Associate Athletics Director Julie Cromer Peoples
“As we began our search for the next head football coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, Chad Morris was a name that quickly emerged as someone that would be an excellent choice for our program. Coach Morris aligns with the priorities we sought to find in our next head football coach including relentless work ethic and the ability to maintain good relationships within our state and beyond to attract the nation’s top talent. Chad is demanding but still relatable to the student-athletes of this generation. He was identified by several closely connected with our program as someone that our state would embrace and would fit the fabric of our university and our program.”
SMU TURNAROUND
During his three seasons at SMU (2015-17), Morris used his Texas recruiting roots and offensive prowess to take the Mustangs from a 1-11 campaign in 2013 before he took over to the program’s first bowl bid since 2012 with a 7-5 mark this season.
Morris’ offensive scheme was exactly what SMU needed, as it increased the team’s scoring output by 16.7 points per game in his first season – the second-largest increase in the nation in 2015. Even more impressive, Morris inherited an offense that ranked last (128th) in the FBS in scoring in 2014 (11.8) and turned it into the nation’s eighth-highest scoring offense (40.1) in 2017.
The 2017 SMU offense marked the fourth time and third different program that Morris has either been the head coach or offensive coordinator of that has finished in the top 10 in the FBS in scoring average at more than 40 points per game. The Mustangs are one just two FBS teams that featured a 3,000-yard passer, 1000-yard rusher and multiple 1,000-yard receivers in 2017.
CLEMSON OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
Morris’ impact during his four years at Clemson as offensive coordinator helped result in a 41-11 record, the 2011 ACC Championship and four bowl berths, including two BCS Orange Bowl appearances. Under Morris’ scheme, the Tigers established 127 offensive records (89 individual/38 team) and posted the top three scoring seasons in school history, as well as four of the top five passing seasons at Clemson.
The Clemson offense in its second season under Morris with ACC Player of the Year Tajh Boyd at quarterback set school records for total yards per game (512.7) and points per game (41.0), ranking sixth in the nation in scoring and ninth in the nation in total offense. The 2013 squad backed up those numbers with 508.5 yards and 40.2 points per game, figures that ranked ninth and eighth nationally.
Morris’ record-setting offense in 2012 and 2013 marked the first time in ACC history that an active member of the conference had averaged more than 40 points per game in back-to-back seasons. Clemson was also one of just two FBS schools with a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver every year from 2011-13.
For his work, Morris was named AFCA National Assistant Coach of the Year and one of five finalists for National Offensive Coordinator of the Year by 247Sports.com in 2013, and the National Offensive Coordinator of the Year by Rivals.com in 2011.
Morris’ offensive brilliance also helped attract and develop some of the best offensive players in Clemson history into current NFL stars.
From the 2012 NFL Draft to 2015 NFL Draft, Morris saw seven of his offensive players drafted, including four wide receivers, tied for the most from any school over that span.
Included in the quartet of wide receivers drafted were first round picks DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans) and Sammy Watkins (Los Angeles Rams).
Morris also recruited 2015 All-Americans Deshaun Watson and Shaq Lawson, who both went on to be first round NFL draft picks.
INSTANT IMPACT
After a legendary 16 years as a head coach on the Texas prep level, Morris’ collegiate debut came as the associate head coach/offensive coordinator at Tulsa in 2010.
In his one season as offensive coordinator working specifically with the quarterbacks, Morris helped the Golden Hurricane average 41.4 points per game, good for sixth nationally, and finish with seven straight wins for a 10-3 record following a 5-7 mark in 2009.
Tulsa scored 40 or more points seven times, including 50+ in four games, and finished as one of five FBS teams with over 30 rushing and 30 passing touchdowns.
TEXAS LEGEND
A native of Dallas, Morris became a legend in the state of Texas during his 16 years as a head coach at the high school level, posting a 169-38 record overall and winning back-to-back undefeated state championships in his final two seasons at Lake Travis High School.
Over his 16 seasons, Morris led six of his teams to the Texas State Championship game, highlighted by three titles, and he earned Coach of the Year honors 11 times.
Morris earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in statistics from Texas A&M University in 1992.
He and his wife, Paula, have two children, daughter Mackenzie and son Chandler.
Steinmetz, Yurachek discuss search, direction
FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas chancellor Joseph Steinmetz introduced Hunter Yurachek formally as the new athletics director.
