SMU Football Head Coach Chad Morris spoke to over 60 Dallas Young Alumni Monday morning at the Crescent Club in uptown.
Morris recounted his history as a Texas high school coach, Clemson offensive coordinator, and what led him to becoming SMU’s current head coach.
“As I’ve been around the state of Texas, I’ve been very fortunate to be around some great players and great coaches on my staff. It hasn’t necessarily been about what I’ve done. It’s about the people I’ve surrounded myself with,” Morris said.
Morris also talked about how he’s had to adapt to coaching challenges throughout his career, transitioning to different programs and working with players and coaches. Morris stressed communication and “keeping all lines open” within the program.
“You still have to coach on blocking and tackling, but football’s not being coached like it was five years ago. It’s all about the presentation,” Morris said.
In Morris’ first meeting with the SMU football team, he told them to sit up straight, and they listened intently to every other word that came out of his mouth. He shared his hope for the 2015 season to the young alums.
“What talent we have, I don’t really know right now. But I do know this: they’re not 1-11. They felt like they lost, that they let the university down. We have to have support because we want this university to be successful,” Morris said.
Among the alumni in attendance was 2007 graduate Elizabeth Rubalcava, who currently works for the KIPP ISD as a counselor. She said she usually only attends one game a year, but 2015 may be different.
“He makes you feel hope, and that’s really exciting. Having been at SMU and knowing that our football is not always successful, it makes it hard to cheer for. He makes it sound like he has a lot of great plans to make us successful this year,” said Rubalcava.
Though Morris started Dec. 1, 2014, he has already made a huge impact in the football program. “The Morris Huddle” is a group of key members associated with the program, such as housing coordinators, academic advisers, and the director of operations, which deal with problems that arise on a weekly basis.
Furthermore, Morris teaches his players his “Four Pillar Model,” which includes academic, social, spiritual, and athletic responsibility. Morris also created a committee of top leadership players on the team to get a pulse on how players are feeling.
“I’m not going to let you down. I’m going to represent our alumni, our staff, our ability to the best of my ability,” Morris said in closing.
SMU will host a spring football game April 18 as a part of Founder’s Day. The football season officially starts Sept. 4, when SMU plays Baylor at home.
