CANYON, Texas - West Texas A&M football has named Joe Morris as its defensive coordinator, head coach Hunter Hughes announced on Wednesday afternoon. Morris has been at Fort Lewis College for the past six seasons, most recently serving as the head coach for the Skyhawks.
"We are excited to welcome Joe Morris onto our football staff as defensive coordinator. I know it was not an easy move for him leaving his alma mater but we are excited to have Joe and his family coming to Canyon," Hughes said. "I have known Joe for over 10 years and have tried to hire him in the past. He is not only a great coach on the field but has the ability to develop men of character off the field. He is a great recruiter and is going to help us bring the best student-athletes to West Texas A&M."
This past season, Morris coached seven All-RMAC players including Suli Tukumoeatu, whose three fumble recoveries were the 10th most in the nation. In 2017, the Skyhawks finished the season winning four of their last six games including an upset victory over #12 CSU-Pueblo, 35-24, at Ray Dennison Memorial Field. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in December 2015 after previously serving as the defensive line coach under John L. Smith for three seasons.
Morris spent the 2010 season as the head coach at New Mexico Highlands followed by two seasons at Division I Colorado State University where he coached the defensive line with the Rams. During his time at CSU, he helped develop defensive end Lanston Tanyi, who earned All-Mountain West honors and registered the most quarterback hurries for a DL since 1999.
He began his coaching career at FLC in 2006 where he served as the defensive line coach for a team that reached the postseason for the first time in program history, winning the Dixie Rotary Bowl to finish 7-4. 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 led the RMAC in tackles.
The Boulder, 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.
