Joe Morrison
Encyclopedia
Joseph R. Morrison was an American football
player in the National Football League
for the New York Giants
and a coach best known as the head coach at the University of South Carolina
.
. He attended the University of Cincinnati
where he played both halfback and quarterback as well as on defense during his three varsity seasons. Morrison was drafted
by the Giants in the third round of the 1959 NFL Draft
, where he played at the positions of running back
and wide receiver
. He had a long career with the Giants, playing from 1959 to 1972. He holds the Giants' team record for receptions, with 395 catches, from seven different quarterback
s; over his career his plays gained 4,993 yards. His jersey number (#40) has been retired by the Giants.
Morrison's best individual season as a receiver came in 1966 when the Giants won only one game. He caught 46 passes for 724 yards and scored six touchdowns. While the Giants fell on hard times, Morrison was one of the bright stars on the team. He also had five seasons of forty receptions or more between 1964 and 1971.
Because he played so many positions, he was nicknamed "Mr. Dependable," according to published accounts of his hiring at South Carolina and his death.
, University of New Mexico
, and University of South Carolina
. He is one of the few major college head coaches to never work as an assistant coach.
Other than his NFL years, he is best remembered as the head coach at South Carolina, and is still often regarded as the greatest coach in the program's history, despite only serving six years in that position before his death. Morrison came to USC after three seasons with the Lobos of the University of New Mexico
. He was a hot prospect, having gone 10-1 in 1982. Morrison took the Gamecocks to three postseason games (1984 and 1987 Gator Bowl
and the 1988 Liberty Bowl
) during his tenure. It was under Morrison in 1983 that South Carolina began the tradition of Einleitung from Also Sprach Zarathustra
as its pre-game anthem and team entrance.
The 1984 season was affectionately dubbed the "Black Magic" year by USC fans because of the team's success and because of Morrison's famous all-black attire (cap, shirt, pants). The team ran a streak of nine consecutive wins (longest single season streak in school history) and was ranked #2 in the nation before being upset by Navy
and later falling to Oklahoma State University in the Gator Bowl
. Gaining victories against storied programs such as Georgia, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Florida State, as well as a regular season win against arch-rival Clemson, the Gamecocks finished that season with a school best 10-2 record. Morrison was named by the Walter Camp Foundation as the 1984 National College Football Coach of the Year. Morrison would also be named the Southern Independent Coach of the year in 1987. The 1984 squad also heralded two first team All-America
n players in James Seawright (linebacker) and Del Wilkes
(offensive lineman), as well as future NFL players Sterling Sharpe
(1984–1987), and Brad Edwards
(1984–1987).
Other notable players coached by Morrison included Harold Green, who spent several years with the Cincinnati Bengals
in the NFL, current Gamecock football radio broadcaster Todd Ellis, who is the all-time passing leader at South Carolina, and Robert Brooks
, who was part of the Green Bay Packers
1997 Super Bowl Championship team. During the time, Charlie Weis
, current Kansas City Chiefs
Offensive Coordinator, was an assistant coach under Morrison, his first coaching job in the college ranks. Also serving as an assistant during Morrison's tenure was Al Groh
, who went on to be head coach of the New York Jets
and formerly the head coach at the University of Virginia
.
After back-to-back 8-4 season in 1987 and 1988, expectations were high in Columbia for the 1989 campaign. However, it would not come to pass as Morrison collapsed after playing racquetball at Williams-Brice Stadium
, and died on February 5, 1989, at age 51 from congestive heart failure
.
Morrison won his 100th game as a coach in 1988, when he beat N.C. State 23-7.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
for the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and a coach best known as the head coach at the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
.
Playing career
Morrison was born in Lima, OhioLima, Ohio
Lima is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwestern Ohio along Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton and south-southwest of Toledo....
. He attended the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
where he played both halfback and quarterback as well as on defense during his three varsity seasons. Morrison was drafted
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
by the Giants in the third round of the 1959 NFL Draft
1959 NFL Draft
The 1959 National Football League Draft was held on December 2, 1958 and January 21, 1959 .-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:...
, where he played at the positions of running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
and wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
. He had a long career with the Giants, playing from 1959 to 1972. He holds the Giants' team record for receptions, with 395 catches, from seven different quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
s; over his career his plays gained 4,993 yards. His jersey number (#40) has been retired by the Giants.
Morrison's best individual season as a receiver came in 1966 when the Giants won only one game. He caught 46 passes for 724 yards and scored six touchdowns. While the Giants fell on hard times, Morrison was one of the bright stars on the team. He also had five seasons of forty receptions or more between 1964 and 1971.
Because he played so many positions, he was nicknamed "Mr. Dependable," according to published accounts of his hiring at South Carolina and his death.
Coaching career
Joe Morrison was a head coach at the University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a public university located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The University, often referred to as UTC or simply "Chattanooga" , is one of three universities and two other affiliated institutions in the University of Tennessee System; the others being in...
, University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
, and University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
. He is one of the few major college head coaches to never work as an assistant coach.
Other than his NFL years, he is best remembered as the head coach at South Carolina, and is still often regarded as the greatest coach in the program's history, despite only serving six years in that position before his death. Morrison came to USC after three seasons with the Lobos of the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
. He was a hot prospect, having gone 10-1 in 1982. Morrison took the Gamecocks to three postseason games (1984 and 1987 Gator Bowl
Gator Bowl
The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
and the 1988 Liberty Bowl
Liberty Bowl
The Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003...
) during his tenure. It was under Morrison in 1983 that South Carolina began the tradition of Einleitung from Also Sprach Zarathustra
Also sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss)
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 is a tone poem by Richard Strauss, composed in 1896 and inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical treatise of the same name. The composer conducted its first performance on 27 November 1896 in Frankfurt...
as its pre-game anthem and team entrance.
The 1984 season was affectionately dubbed the "Black Magic" year by USC fans because of the team's success and because of Morrison's famous all-black attire (cap, shirt, pants). The team ran a streak of nine consecutive wins (longest single season streak in school history) and was ranked #2 in the nation before being upset by Navy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
and later falling to Oklahoma State University in the Gator Bowl
Gator Bowl
The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
. Gaining victories against storied programs such as Georgia, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Florida State, as well as a regular season win against arch-rival Clemson, the Gamecocks finished that season with a school best 10-2 record. Morrison was named by the Walter Camp Foundation as the 1984 National College Football Coach of the Year. Morrison would also be named the Southern Independent Coach of the year in 1987. The 1984 squad also heralded two first team All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n players in James Seawright (linebacker) and Del Wilkes
Del Wilkes
Del Wilkes is a former American professional wrestler. Over the span of 14 years, he performed in various promotions such as American Wrestling Association, All Japan Pro Wrestling...
(offensive lineman), as well as future NFL players Sterling Sharpe
Sterling Sharpe
Sterling Sharpe is a former American football wide receiver and an analyst for the NFL Network. He attended the University of South Carolina, and played from 1988 to 1994 with the Green Bay Packers.-Early life:...
(1984–1987), and Brad Edwards
Brad Edwards
Bradford Wayne Edwards is a former American football defensive back who played nine seasons in the National Football League for the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, and the Atlanta Falcons. He graduated from Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1984...
(1984–1987).
Other notable players coached by Morrison included Harold Green, who spent several years with the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
in the NFL, current Gamecock football radio broadcaster Todd Ellis, who is the all-time passing leader at South Carolina, and Robert Brooks
Robert Brooks
Robert Darren Brooks is a former American football wide receiver who attended University of South Carolina and played for the Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos.-Early life:...
, who was part of the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
1997 Super Bowl Championship team. During the time, Charlie Weis
Charlie Weis
Charles Joseph "Charlie" Weis is an American football coach. He currently serves as offensive coordinator for the Florida Gators. For five years, from December 2004 through 2009, he was the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame...
, current Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
Offensive Coordinator, was an assistant coach under Morrison, his first coaching job in the college ranks. Also serving as an assistant during Morrison's tenure was Al Groh
Al Groh
Al Groh is the defensive coordinator of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team. He is also a former head coach of the University of Virginia football team, a former head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team and the former head coach of the New York Jets of the NFL...
, who went on to be head coach of the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and formerly the head coach at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
.
After back-to-back 8-4 season in 1987 and 1988, expectations were high in Columbia for the 1989 campaign. However, it would not come to pass as Morrison collapsed after playing racquetball at Williams-Brice Stadium
Williams-Brice Stadium
Williams-Brice Stadium is the home football stadium for the South Carolina Gamecocks, the college football team representing the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina...
, and died on February 5, 1989, at age 51 from congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure
Heart failure often called congestive heart failure is generally defined as the inability of the heart to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the needs of the body. Heart failure can cause a number of symptoms including shortness of breath, leg swelling, and exercise intolerance. The condition...
.
Morrison won his 100th game as a coach in 1988, when he beat N.C. State 23-7.
Morrison's traditions at South Carolina
Morrison's legacy still is in place at the University of South Carolina in various ways:- Black jerseys as part of their uniform options are used in all sports.
- Morrison began the use of black jerseys as a uniform option and used them as the team's primary home jerseys during the 1987 and 1988 seasons
- The use of Einleitung from Also sprach ZarathustraAlso sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss)Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 is a tone poem by Richard Strauss, composed in 1896 and inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical treatise of the same name. The composer conducted its first performance on 27 November 1896 in Frankfurt...
, Op. 30, used by the football team at the time, has been spread to other sports and university functions, including graduations, where it is played to recognise graduates.- After the school's first national championship in 2002 (women's track and field), that team and head coach Curtis FryeCurtis FryeCurtis Frye is the head coach for the University of South Carolina Track and Field teams. He served as an assistant coach for the United States women's track and field team at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.Fry's coaching specialties are the hurdling events, sprints, and relays...
was introduced by the piece after an NCAA Baseball Tournament regional had ended.
- After the school's first national championship in 2002 (women's track and field), that team and head coach Curtis Frye
- His 1984 Coach of the Year award is posted on the wall at Williams-Brice Stadium.
- An outstanding football player from spring practice on both offense and defense are awarded the "Joe Morrison Award" each year.