New Mexico State University Athletics

Morris joined the Aggie staff in January 2024 and is in his second year as the defensive coordinator after three seasons at Sam Houston where he served as the defensive coordinator and defensive ends coach for his final two seasons with the Bearkats. 

In his first year with the Aggies, he led an Aggie unit which included All-CUSA selections Tyler Martinez (Second Team), Malaki Ta’ase (All-Freshman) and Tayden Barnes (All-Freshman).

In 2023, Morris helped lead a Bearkat defense which led Conference USA in first downs allowed while finishing in the top five in the league in scoring defense, pass defense, fumbles recovered, turnover margin and opponent third-down conversion percentage.

Under Morris in 2023, the Bearkat defense saw a pair of defenders earn First Team All-CUSA honors as both Trevor Williams and Da’Marcus Crosby II landed among the select few. Within Morris’ defense, Williams finished second in the conference and tied for tenth in the nation in total tackles with 135 on the season. Morris also assisted with the development of Issiah Nixon who ended the 2023 campaign ranked fifth in CUSA in sacks per game while defensive lineman Jevon Leon finished tied for first in the league in fumbles recovered. 

Morris was named the Bearkats’ co-defensive coordinator prior to a 2022 season which saw the Bearkat defense finish among the best at the FCS level as they ranked 10th in the nation in rushing defense (108.2), 15th in the nation in scoring defense (20.8) and 20th in the nation in fumbles recovered (20) while pacing the Western Athletic Conference in each category. As it did in 2023, Morris’ defense was exceptional at refusing the opposing offense to move the sticks as the Bearkat defense finished the season tops in the FCS in first downs allowed (165).

In his first year with Sam Houston, Morris helped lead the Bearkats to the program’s first ever FCS national title while the defensive unit finished the 2020-21 campaign as the top defense at the FCS level in total takeaways and fumble recoveries. Additionally, the Sam Houston defense landed 12th in the nation in total tackles for loss. Morris also helped coach a pair of AP All-Americans in 2021 as defensive lineman Jahari Kay was named an FCS Second Team AP All-American while defensive back Zyon McCollum picked up Third Team AP All-America honors. 

Prior to joining the staff at Sam Houston, Morris spent the previous two seasons as the defensive coordinator at West Texas A&M. In two seasons as the leader of the defense, Morris helped the Buffaloes to an 11-6 record, including going 8-3 in 2019. In his first season, the Buffs ranked in the top 50 in the nation in fumbles recovered, interceptions, red zone defense and tackles for loss. 

One year ahead of his time in Canyon, Texas, Morris was the head coach at Fort Lewis College where he got his start 12 years prior. In 2018, seven players on Morris’ Fort Lewis squad earned all-RMAC recognition for their contributions on the field. In 2017, Fort Lewis finished the season winners of four of their final six contests, including an upset victory over No. 12 CSU-Pueblo. Ahead of being promoted to head coach of the Fort Lewis program, Morris was named the Skyhawks’ defensive coordinator in 2015 after serving as the defensive line coach under John L. Smith for three seasons. 

The stop in Las Cruces will be Morris’ second stint in the Land of Enchantment as he also spent the 2010 season as the head coach at New Mexico Highlands. The time spent in Las Vegas, N.M., was followed by a pair of years spent on staff at Colorado State as a graduate assistant – working primarily with the Rams’ linebackers and defensive line. 

Morris got his start at Fort Lewis in 2006 where he served as the defensive line coach for a Skyhawk team that reached the postseason for the first time in program history, winning the Dixie Rotary Bowl to secure a 7-4 record on the season. He then spent the next three seasons as the defensive coordinator for FLC where his 2008 defense ranked fourth in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in pass defense and produced All-American linebacker Mark Meng who paced the RMAC in total tackles. 

The Lafayette, Colo., native graduated from Fort Lewis in 2005 where he was a four-year starting linebacker and captain. He also earned All-RMAC honors during his junior and senior seasons.