Daytona State Names Brock Morris Head Men’s Basketball Coach

Daytona State Names Brock Morris Head Men’s Basketball Coach

Daytona Beach, Fla. (May 14, 2018) – Daytona State College (DSC) was on the hunt to find a new head Men's Basketball Coach for the 2018-2019 academic season. After receiving nearly 200 applications, DSC has selected Brock Morris as the Falcon's new head men's basketball coach. Morris, who spent the last three years as an assistant coach at the University of South Alabama (USA), brings nearly a decade of experience with him to Daytona; he was an Assistant Coach, Director of Basketball Operations, and Graduate Assistant coach in both NJCAA and the NCAA.

"Brock comes to us with an excellent track record, and the kind of leadership we want to impart on our student-athletes," said Tom LoBasso, president of Daytona State. "We have set a high bar for academic and athletic performance at Daytona State and we think Brock will be a great asset to advancing our men's basketball program in both areas."

"I want to thank Dr. Tom LaBasso and Will Dunne for this wonderful opportunity. My family and I are beyond excited to join Daytona State and help build on an already great reputation of academics and athletics," said Morris. I have always considered Daytona State one of the premier jobs in not only the state of Florida, but the country as well. Our values, standards, and purpose will be to assist young men reach their full potential and become productive members of society through the values learned in our program."

B. Morris  Coach Morris spoke on what the fans can expect next season. "Our style of play will be fast and exciting! We will bring you out of your seats and create an experience of a lifetime. I promise you will get my best every day. We will create a culture and environment that will make you proud to call us Daytona's Team!"

Morris spent the past three seasons, 2015-2018, as an Assistant Coach at the University of South Alabama, who participate in the Sun Belt Conference. Morris primary duties were recruiting and coaching the defense. This past season, 2017-18, South Alabama finished the season as the 16th ranked defense nationally and atop the Sun Belt Conference according to Synergy Sports. South Alabama ranked 6th nationally in three-point field goal defense and held opponents under seventy points fifteen times. USA's recruiting was also atop the Sun Belt Conference in 2017 according to 247 Sports who ranked the Jaguars as the top recruiting class in the conference. All three seasons the Jags signed Top 100 recruiting classes including the 2017 class who was the highest ranked class of all time, 85th.    

Prior to joining the USA staff in 2015, Morris spent two years, 2013-2015, as an assistant coach at the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) where the team had an impressive 58-8 record and captured back to back Scenic West Conference Championships. CSI also was the 3rd overall seed in the 2015 NJCAA national tournament with a record of 31-3 and was also named an academic All-American team by the NJCAA.

Before joining the Staff at CSI, Morris spent three seasons, 2010-2013, at the University of Louisiana as the Director of Basketball Operations under long time head coach Bob Marlin. At Louisiana Morris was instrumental in the development of former Orlando Magic point guard Elfrid Payton. Prior to his stint at UL, Morris served as a Graduate Assistant coach at the University of Alabama from 2008-2010.

"When you find a young coach with Brock's vision, work ethic, passion, and pedigree, you know you're getting a quality coach who's not only going to be a great leader on the court, but who will really bring the best out of our student-athletes as citizens in our community and students in the classroom as well," said Will Dunne, Daytona State's Athletic Director.

Morris joins a growing Falcon athletics program that boasts nearly 200 student-athletes with 130 athletic scholarships in ten varsity sports including men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, women's golf, men's and women's cross country, fast-pitch softball, baseball, and volleyball. DSC offers an all-around sports complex, including the L. Gale Lemerand Health, Wellness and Community Education Center, an indoor pool, two -notch playing fields for baseball and softball, a field house, and a newly built state-of-the-art soccer complex and stadium with a Daktronics videoboard. 

Daytona State carries a winning tradition in both competition and academics. Falcon teams consistently earn state and national recognition for their academic achievements. Over 90 percent of DSC student-athlete graduates transfer to a university with full or partial athletic scholarships.

  

What other coaches are saying about the hire:

 

   
"Daytona State has picked up a rising star in Brock Morris. He is an outstanding young coach and a relentless recruiter. His leadership and ability to relate to the young men under his guidance will prepare them for success in the classroom and on the court."  – Bob Marlin, University of Louisiana Head Coach

 

"Brock is an extremely loyal and dedicated person. He has a wealth of talent and experience in recruiting, coaching strategy, and relationship building. His work ethic and attention to detail will have Daytona State competing for championships in the very near future. Great hire!!" – Anthony Grant, University of Dayton Head Coach, former head coach at the University of Alabama

  
  
 "Brock is an absolute home run hire. He possesses a relentless work ethic recruiting and his passion for teaching the game is outstanding. His ability to connect with the student-athlete is a separator." – Matthew Graves, Former University of South Alabama Head Coach

 

 "Coach Brock Morris is a high energy enthusiastic coach! He has a great understanding of the game and will work tirelessly until he is successful!" – Jared Phay, College of Southern Idaho Head Coach

    

"I have had the pleasure of working with Brock for a year and watching him grow as a coach for the past 7 years.  Brock has a great basketball mind and an ability to relate and communicate with young men that is uncommon for most but the thing that sets him the most apart is his enthusiasm and character, which are unmatched!  Brock Morris is prepared, has the work ethic and passion that will make him a great head coach at Daytona State!"  Jeremy Cox, SFA