Chad Morris Introduced As New SMU Mustangs Head Coach

Former Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris was officially introduced as the new head coach at SMU on Monday and returns to the state of Texas where he is a high school coaching legend

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Chad Morris was introduced as the new head coach at SMU on Monday as he returns to his home state of Texas where he was a legendary coach on the prep ranks, including at Lake Travis where he won back-to-back state titles with former SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert before embarking on a college coaching career.

Morris admitted that when he hears June Jones resigned after two games that this could be a reality once Clemson finished their regular season. Clemson finished their season on Saturday with a win over rival South Carolina, days after Morris to SMU was reported to be a ‘done deal’ and thanked Dabo Swinney for giving him an opportunity in this press release released by SMU, via College Football Talk.

"“I’m excited about the future of SMU football, and my family is thrilled to be back in the state of Texas,” said Morris. “I want to thank Dr. (R. Gerald) Turner, Rick Hart and the search committee for this opportunity. I have to say it was a difficult decision to leave my fellow coaches and our student-athletes at Clemson. I want to thank them for buying into our vision and helping us build something special. I would especially like to thank Coach (Dabo) Swinney. It was a great experience and something I’ll always remember.“I only left that great situation because I knew what we could accomplish at SMU. I grew up watching SMU football. I know the history and I know we can be great again. I look forward to working with our student-athletes and staff, as well as my friends and former colleagues, the Texas high school coaches, as we work towards winning championships here on the Hilltop. I can’t wait to get started.”"

Morris was one of the top assistants in college football and made my preseason list of assistants who are destined to be head coaches, but the move to SMU surprised many observers who believe he could have landed at a higher profile program.

He received a blessing to take the job from Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney who expressed his happiness for his former offensive coordinator who helped lead the team to 41 wins during his four-year tenure after Swinney hired him away from Tulsa after one year on Todd Graham’s staff.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney: "I'm very happy for Chad and his family. This is a great opportunity and he is the right fit for SMU."
— Aaron Brenner (@Aaron_Brenner) December 1, 2014

Part of the appeal for taking this job is his connection with high school coaches throughout the state and that should help Morris recruit the state and keep some of the best players in the Lone Star State and bring them to the Dallas university. The area is full of talent and he can be the guy boosters flock to and devote much more resources to the football program to restore it to its once proud days.

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Former Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris was officially introduced as the new head coach at SMU on Monday and returns to the state of Texas where he is a high school coaching legend

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