From 1995 to 2000, Morrison attended the University of Prince Edward Island and played for the Panthers in the Canadian Inter-university Sport (CIS).[2] He graduated as the school's all-time leader in assists and 3-point field goals made and fifth on the all-time leading scorer list.[3] He also finished as the Atlantic University Sport's all-time leader for career three-pointers made (220 in 99 games), still holding the record as of the 2019–20 season.[4]
Coaching career
College coaching in Canada (2001–2013)
In 2001, after his first year of graduate studies at Dalhousie University, Morrison was appointed an assistant coach of Dalhousie's women's basketball team under head coach Carolyn Savoy.[1] In 2002, as a 24-year-old,[1] he was elevated to head coach of the team.[2]
In 2003, Morrison was appointed head coach of Lakehead University's men's basketball team.[1][2] During his 10 years at Lakehead,[5] he led the Wolves to four straight CIS Final 8 appearances (2010–2013). He led the team to its first Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championship in 2011 and to the CIS championship in 2013.[6] Under his leadership, Lakehead went from the worst team in the nation in 2006 to a perennial top five program from 2008 to 2013. Notably, Morrison was named OUA Conference Coach of the Year in 2010.[7]
For the 2013–14 season, Morrison's assistant coach Matt Erdman served as the Wolves' interim coach while Morrison took a one-year sabbatical.[8]
On September 16, 2014, Morrison was appointed head coach of the Red Claws.[7] In the 2014–15 season, he led Maine to a franchise-best 35–15 record and was selected to helm the Eastern Conference Futures team in the 2015 NBA D-League All-Star Game.[6] He was subsequently named the NBA D-League Coach of the Year[3][6] and coached the NBA D-League Select Team at the 2015 NBA Summer League.[10]
In January 2016, Morrison became the winningest coach in Red Claws franchise history.[11]
After four seasons as an assistant, Morrison interviewed for the Celtics head coaching job in 2021 but the position was given instead to Ime Udoka. Udoka subsequently did not keep Morrison on his staff.[13]
Perth Wildcats (2021–2022)
On August 24, 2021, Morrison was appointed head coach of the Perth Wildcats of Australia's National Basketball League, on a three-year contract.[9][14] In the 2021–22 NBL season, the Wildcats had a 14–6 record before losing six of their last eight games to finish fifth and miss the playoffs for the first time since 1986.[15][16] He parted ways with the Wildcats on June 23, 2022, due to family reasons.[17]
Morrison was hired as an assistant coach for the Canada men's national under-19 basketball team in 2012. The team won a silver medal at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 tournament, and placed sixth at the U19 World Championships in 2013 in Prague, both of which were all-time best finishes for Canada in this age group.[7]
Personal life
Morrison and his wife Susanne have two children.[17][20] Their son has autism and is non-verbal.[19]
