This Tuesday morning starts with sad news for Wildcat football fans. It was reported, and later confirmed by the university, that former Kentucky Football Coach Guy Morriss has passed away at the age of 71. Coach Morriss was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2017 and had been rapidly declining over the last several months.
Coach Morriss came to Lexington when Hal Mumme brought the Air Raid to Kentucky in 1997. He served four years as Mumme’s offensive line coach. He had previously worked for Mumme serving in that same position at Valdosta State University in Georgia. However, when a recruiting scandal forced Hal Mumme to resign after the 2000 season, Coach Morriss was named the interim head coach.
The Wildcats had a rocky season, only winning two games in 2001. However, Morriss would then get things turned around the next season with “The Hefty Lefty” Jared Lorenzen at quarterback. That season, the Wildcats went 7-5, with the memorable near upset of LSU, but lost in a crushing defeat. That loss came in a thrilling game that is now known as “The Bluegrass Miracle." Morriss left the following season for his home state to coach at Baylor.
All of Kentucky and the Big Blue Nation sends their condolences to Coach Morriss’ family.