Chat with Football Coach Guy Morriss

Head football coach Guy Morriss will join us for an online chat Tuesday.

Chat With Coach Guy Morriss
Head football coach joined us for an online chat on Dec. 9.

Welcome to BaylorBears.com and OCSN.com's online chat, where Baylor football coach Guy Morriss joined us on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Morriss went 3-9 in his first season at Baylor, including a 42-30 win over defending Big 12 North Division champion Colorado in Waco.

In addition to his 15 years of experience as a coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels, Morriss spent 18 years in the National Football League, where he was an All-Pro player, played in two Super Bowls and coached for three seasons.

Morriss came to Waco from Lexington, Ky., where he spent six seasons helping to turn around the Wildcat football program - the last two as head coach.

In 2002, Kentucky turned some heads with a 7-5 record, including wins over Mississippi State, eventual SEC West Division champion Arkansas and 17th-ranked Louisville. The seven-win season in 2002 was only the fifth since 1955 for Kentucky, which received votes in the AP Top 25 poll. UK's defeats included a four-point setback vs. South Carolina, a seven-point loss at then-No. 7 Florida and an unbelievable three-point defeat on the final play vs. then-No. 17 LSU.

In Morriss' two seasons as head coach at Kentucky, 10 Wildcat players earned All-SEC recognition and two were named All-American. In his six seasons, four UK offensive linemen were selected first-team All-SEC and three earned freshman All-America honors.

Parker Willis (Houston): If look at the 2003 results, you can see that Baylor was in the game until the last minute in a lot of the games. What do you think you can do to maybe pullout and win a few of those close games?

Guy Morriss: We just keep coaching hard. I think that we'll improve greatly between the first and second year. Kids know what to expect from us as coaches, and we know what their strengths and weaknesses are. I think the kids see themselves as a true Big 12 football team; attitude and confidence are better. It all goes into the formula.

janet dallas: what about chris evans big kid from dallas.

Guy Morriss: Chris will compete for the starting center job this spring. He's working hard in the weight room.

Jonathan (Waco): What can you tell us about the walk-on WR from UMHB who redshirted this year (I believe his name is Rochon)? From what I hear, he really turned heads in the Sun scrimmages. Do you see him getting playing time next year?

Guy Morriss: Yeah; we think enough of him that we put him on full scholarship at midterm. We think he'll be a good player and really help us out.

Steve (San Jose, CA): What do you think of the Kansas State vs. Oklahoma Big XII championship game? Do you think Kansas State is that good, or did Oklahoma finally have their bad day?

Guy Morriss: I think on any given Saturday, anybody can beat anybody. This happened to be Oklahoma's turn. Kansas State beat them fair and square.

Brad(Arlington): Who should we look for as our tailback next year, either Anthony Krieg or Paul Mosley? Thanks for your time and best of luck in recruiting and next season. Sic'em Bears!!!

Guy Morriss: Anthony Kreig. Paul Mosley is moving to defensive end.

David (Carrollton): Coach, You have in the past asked for input on talented high school players. If we have names and vitals, where should we send that information? Thanks for coming to Baylor.

Guy Morriss: You can email me -- FB_Recruiting@baylor.edu, or you can write a letter to the coaching staff at 150 Bear Run, Waco, TX 76711.

Steve (San Jose, CA): How is recruiting coming along?

Guy Morriss: It's going well. We have a big weekend coming up: 10 players and 10 sets of parents. We're pleased with how things are going.

Phil Warner: How do you look to replace R. Armstrong and his ability to gain yardage and block? Is there the possibility of a new recruit coming in challenging for the starting job?

Guy Morriss: We'll have competition in the spring between Anthony, Whitaker, Quincy Cosby and Jonathan Golden, and any incoming freshman next fall will be given a chance to compete for the job then.

David San Antonio: What are thoughts on recruiting a taller and bigger secondary to keep up with tall receivers such as Rashaun Woods?

Guy Morriss: Good idea. C.J. Wilson is 6-3. We're trying; that's what we're looking for.

CARL ROBINSON THE WOODLANDS: THERE IS A YOUNG MAN, CASEY NICHOLS, THAT IS INTERESTED IN PLAYING FOR BAYLOR. IS THERE ANY INTEREST IN HIM? HE HAS RECEIVED A LOT OF LETTER FROM SCHOOLS. HE IS A SENIOR FOR THE WOODLANDS. THANKS

Guy Morriss: We're recuiting some guys from The Woodlands, but Casey is not among them.

Steve Johnston Arlington, Texas: Coach Morriss great job this year. What are your plans for redshirting the true freshman who played this year?

Guy Morriss: As many as possible are going to redshirt, but we'll make that decision at the end of two-a-days next year.

Chris (Miami, Florida): What is the deal with the schedule changes and why? Who are we looking to play this year?

Guy Morriss: I didn't see any reason to go play a 9-3 team in the Big 10 in Minneapolis with the conference schedule the way it is, and with only five home games. We're trying to help ourselves get better by scheduling. We're looking at adding Texas State-San Marcos for 2004.

Jim (Dallas): Coach, now that you've finished your 1st season here, do you expect that are there some underclassmen who will move on because of academics or because they won't be getting playing time going forward?

Guy Morriss: At this particular point, there are about three players we're a little concerned about academically, but in general our underclassmen are all happy and looking forward to the spring.

Adam (Waco): Our attendance at football games have been the worst in the conference for a while. Students are so used to losing that they won't even give you a chance. Besides winning some games what else is there to do to increase attendance?

Guy Morriss: We're going to try to improve our product. We will work with the marketing staff and the new athletic director to put together a plan to work on those sorts of things.

Scott (Dallas): Did you under-estimate the rebuilding project at Baylor before you took the job?

Guy Morriss: No, it's about what we expected. We need to build an infrastructure to help us be successful.

Plano, Texas: Coach congrats on your first season. The best is yet to come. What is your assessment of your first recruiting class and do you feel you got any possibilities out of your walk on class that you feel that can help Baylor?

Guy Morriss: There are some good kids in that first recruiting class, especially in the secondary. As far as walkons go, Quincy Jenkins was a walkon, M.T. Robinson was a walkon. We expect to find maybe one or two more each year who can help us.

Larry ( Dallas): Coach, how is recruting D-lineman going since you guys struggled there this year?

Guy Morriss: We're in on some good ones, both high school and junior college. We just have to stay the course.

Adam (Sacramento, CA): I realize the recruiting in Texas is very difficult, what have you as coaching staff done to try to convince highschool seniors to choose Baylor over UT, Tech and A&M?

Guy Morriss: Recruiting in Texas is not difficult; there are plenty of players to go around. You sell them on Baylor: the private school education, Big 12 Conference, play early, wholesome environment, NFL staff philosophy, etc. We're going to get our share.

Jim (Dallas): Coach, you said that you liked "buttin' heads" out on the recruiting trail, meaning that we had to go up against top programs to get the talent we need to win. Are we winning our share of those recruiting battles?

Guy Morriss: We're very pleased with the way recruiting is going to this point. We'll upgrade the talent level of our team, from an athleticism and speed standpoint.

Doug - Bedford: Have you ever thought of "branding" Baylor's offense? This might attract a talented skill postion player of a certain "mold" to choose Baylor because of our system?

Guy Morriss: I'm not sure what you mean by branding. Our system is the same system we've had for three years. This is just the Baylor offense.

Steve (Paris, Texas): Coach, it is becoming apparent that winning in the Big XII requires a productive, if not very talented, quarterback. Do you have someone on your roster that you think will be that guy or is he going to have to come out of a future class?

Guy Morriss: Terrance Parks could be the man, or he could possibly come from a future class.

Chuck 'Warriorbear' Allen: I saw we only had two Freshmen named to this year's all-big 12 Freshmen squad despite the fact BU is recognized as the conference's 'youngest' team. Are you pleased or concerned about the youngest group of Bears?

Guy Morriss: I'm pleased with the progress of our freshman Bears.

Jim (Dallas): Coach, when do you expect that BU will break ground on the new practice facility? Do the current plans include an indoor practice facility? Thanks.

Guy Morriss: Sometime in 2004. The plans do include an indoor facility, depending on the amount of money we can raise fairly quickly. Know anybody that's got an extra million or so laying around?

Dusty (Houston): What are your impressions on Ian McCaw as athletic director. Has there been any friction b/c your candidates were not chosen. Can he speak Texan?

Guy Morriss: I like Ian personally. I probably this time of year and through the spring will have more time to get to know him and develop our relationship. He seems to me to be a very capable facilitator, and he's a good listener. Can he speak Texan? He's learning. We're going to put him in some boots and a Stetson and teach him how to say "y'all" this spring.

Jeremy Johnson (Philadelphia, PA): Coach Morriss, In the past the great football programs have recruited well in their own backyard. With Baylor located in the heart of Texas, a state with incredible talent, how can your program better attract in-state talent?

Guy Morriss: Win more games. Get out in the community and be visible. Continue to improve relations with high school coaches. Offer summer camps. Do coaches clinics. We're going to start recruiting in Central Texas and work outwards.

Tyler Swain: Coach, we are glad to have you leading our team . My question is: what was your biggest disappointment and your biggest pleasant surprise concerning BU football since you seized the reigns?

Guy Morriss: My biggest disappointment was the North Texas game. We played horribly. I guess the most pleasant surprise was the game against Oklahoma, the strides they made from the UNT game to then. We can see light at the end of the tunnel.

Will, Austin: Will you let your players run track in the spring for the renowned BU program. I know your players have a lot of speed. Will you let them run track or encourage any of them to do so. Mack Brown is against it and wanted to know your philosophy.

Guy Morriss: Absolutely; we encourage our kids to compete year round. I think it's good for them, as long as they're contributing.

Corey Martin (Houston): How do you feel that you and your staff have been able to or plan to recruit better talent than we have previously seen at Baylor?

Guy Morriss: We've got to do a real good job of evaluating talent; we don't have a big margin for error. But I feel that's one of this staff's strengths; hopefully we'll find out that's the case 3 or 4 years from now, once these kids develop.

David Choi (Benbrook TX): Coach, where do you see this team in 5 years? Are we recruiting caliber players to that of the other Big 12 teams?

Guy Morriss: Tough question to answer. If things go like we plan, we'll be winning 7, 8, 9 games a year, going to bowls and competing for the south division championship. That's our vision.

TW (Waco): We are glad you are here and for the improvement in the team. What can the staff do to help the team eliminate the mental mistakes (Penalty after penalty)?

Guy Morriss: You just have to keep reinforcing it with them, make them stay conscious of it - the importance of not committing fouls.

Jim (Dallas): If you are successful with all of your JUCO targets, how many midtermers are you hoping to bring in and which positions are you looking to fill?

Guy Morriss: About five or six mid-termers: OL, DL, QB, TE, and maybe WR.

Rufus Watkins-San francisco: Dear Coach: The Alumni, here in California, would love to have you here, to talk about Baylor Football. Is there anyway the new Athletic Director can help out.

Guy Morriss: Call or e-mail him to find out!

Robert Long-Shreveport,LA: Coach Morriss, thank you for all of your hard work that you and your staff are doing for Baylor football! Is there anything that average Baylor fans/alumni like myself can do to help with recruiting good players for Baylor?

Guy Morriss: If you see a player you think can help us win the Big 12, contact the football office and give us a name and high school.

JJ (Fort Worth): What are your thoughts on abolishing the BCS in favor of a playoff system, and what impact would this have on (i) current conference alignments, and (ii) Baylor.

Guy Morriss: I'm all for a playoff system. I don't think it would hurt conference alignments or Baylor. Then we wouldn't have this BCS fiasco we just went through.

George (waco): Great job this year Coach, How do you plan on replacing linebackers Steven Sepulveda and John Garrett?

Guy Morriss: We have to replace them with Justin Crooks, Collin Allread, Michael Tolbert and Jamaal Harper, and we're going to go sign three high school linebackers.

Shane (Houston/Waco): Do you see a Kentucky-like turn around for this team? I know rebuilding will take a while but I know all Baylor fans are itching for a winning season and a bowl game. Does this seem realistic for next year or the next?

Guy Morriss: It's possible. You've got to stay healthy, have a little luck, and who knows?

Jason (Tulsa): How much more will both the OL and DL be able to progress from an S/C standpoint this offseason? (will our guys be where they need to be in the fall or are we still another offseason away from having the needed strength on the lines)

Guy Morriss: We'll be stronger, but we'll still be about another offseason away from getting where we need to be. Strength comes slowly.

Dean (DeSoto): Please tell us about the new field surface you are installing at Floyd Casey stadium. Why are you going back to an artificial surface from grass? Why did you choose this surface? Who else has it and do they like it?

Guy Morriss: We haven't decided just yet exactly which surface we are going to go with. They have been able to simulate bermuda grass now, something they couldn't do in earlier versions. There is no maintainance on artificial grass (which means saving money), and there are no threats of fungus or anything to take down the field. It will be similar to SMU's and the artificial surfaces used in NFL stadiums all over the country.

Jonathan (Waco): Do you expect RsFr Quincy Cosby to play fullback or tailback in this offense? He seems like somebody who could make an impact at either position. Is it possible for a player like that to switch back and forth between those pos?

Guy Morriss: Tailback. He could absolutely switch back and forth, if he can handle the mental part of it.

Guy Morriss: Thanks for your questions. We'll be back again after the holidays to answer some more questions. Merry Christmas!

Chat with Football Coach Guy Morriss

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