LEXINGTON, Ky. — Former University of Kentucky football coach Guy Morriss died Monday at age 71 in Danville.
Morriss came to UK in 1997 as assistant head coach and offensive line coach under Hall Mumme. His offensive lines helped protect and open holes for Wildcat quarterbacks Tim Couch (1997-98), Dusty Bonner (1999) and Jared Lorenzen (2000). Couch would take the Wildcats to the Outback Bowl—Kentucky’s first New Year’s Day bowl appearance in 47 years—in the 1998 season.
Morriss lost all five members of his starting line the next season, but he rebuilt it and it helped Bonner and UK go 6-5 in 1999, taking the Cats to the HomePoint.com Music City Bowl.
After the 2000 season, the NCAA investigated Kentucky for recruiting violations. Mumme resigned and UK appointed Morriss head coach. In 2001, Kentucky went 2-9 and in January 2002 the NCAA leveled penalties against the school that included a one-year bowl ban.
“Guy Morriss provided steady leadership for our football program at a time of significant uncertainty,” said Kentucky Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart, who arrived at UK in 2002 and worked with Morriss that season. “He was both liked and respected by the players, who responded to his fair, no-nonsense approach with their best efforts. His six years at UK feature some of the best players and most exciting moments in our history. He will be deeply missed and our condolences are with (wife) Jackie, their children, family and friends.”
In 2002, although there would be no post-season play, Kentucky got off to a 4-0 start that season and ended up 7-5. Morriss left UK and returned home to Texas, where he was named head coach of the Baylor Bears from 2003 to 07. He then coached a year at Kentucky State University before moving on to be head coach at Texas A&M-Commerce from 2009 to 12. Morriss returned to Kentucky and served as the line coach at Warren Central High School in Bowling Green (2014) and Lexington Christian Academy (2015) and then retired. The next year, 2016, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Morriss was born in Colorado City, Texas and was an All-Southwest Conference offensive guard at Texas Christian University (TCU). He then had a 15-year career in the National Football League (NFL) playing for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973 to 83 and the New England Patriots from 1984 to 87. Morriss played in two Super Bowls, one with each team and was an All-Pro selection in 1981.
He started his coaching career as offensive line coach with the Patriots from 1988 to 89. He also coaches in the Professional Spring Football League in 1992. That fall, he entered collegiate coaching as the offensive line coach for Hal Mumme at Valdosta State. He coached again in the NFL and the Canadian Football League before rejoining Mumme at UK
Morriss is survived by his wife, Jackie, their daughters, Colleen, Kerry, Savannah and Austin, and five grandchildren.