Fort Lewis College Athletics

Joe Morris returns to his alma mater for the second time in his coaching career. Morris, who returned in 2013 to coach the defensive line before being promoted to Defensive Coordinator in December 2015, is in his eighth year overall as an assistant coach for the Skyhawks.

Morris returned to Fort Lewis College after spending two seasons at Colorado State University. Morris coached with the defensive line with the Rams, helping develop defensive end Lanston Tanyi, who earned All-Mountain West honors and registered the most quarterback hurries by a DL at CSU since 1999. The Rams defensive line played a pivotal role in CSU’s improved pass defense, which ranked fourth in the Mountain West in 2012.  

Previous to CSU, Morris was Head Coach of New Mexico Highlands for the 2010 season, after previously coordinating the team's defense. In 2010 the New Mexico Highlands defense ranked fourth in the conference and the Special Teams units produced two all-conference selections in punter Vincent Gonzalez and return specialist Kevon Williams. 

From 2006-2009, Morris was an assistant coach for the Skyhawks, spending three seasons as defensive coordinator (2007-2009) and one year as defensive line coach (2006) at his alma mater, Fort Lewis College.   His 2008 defense ranked fourth in the conference in pass defense, and produced All American LB Mark Meng, who led the RMAC in tackles. In 2007, the defense produced four all-conference honorees, including DBs Sam Powell and Dion Myers, LB Mark Meng, and DL Brett Oldenkamp.  

In his first year as a coach on the sidelines for Fort Lewis, Morris helped the 2006 squad reach the postseason for the first time in FLC’s 40-year college history, winning the Dixie Rotary Bowl in a season that saw the Skyhawks go 7-4 overall, matching FLC’s most wins in a single season.  

Morris graduated from FLC in 2005 where he had been a four-year starting linebacker and captain every season.  He earned all-conference honors his final two years as a Skyhawk.

Born in Boulder, Colo., Morris, lettered in football and wrestling at Centaurus High School in Lafayette, Colo. Honorable-mention all-state in football, he also placed twice at the state wrestling tournament and helped the Warriors win the 1999 state wrestling championship.