Thursday, February 08, 2001
Morriss vows to heal UK
Mumme accepts responsibility but not blame
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON — Guy Morriss isn't making any guarantees that he will lead Kentucky's football team to the top of the Southeastern Conference or to a third bowl appearance in four years.
He is, however, vowing to restore a sense of pride to a program that has lost its luster.
“I want people to know that I will do everything in my power to make this football program the best it can be,” said Morriss, Kentucky's offensive line coach the past four seasons.
Morriss, 49, was named head coach Tuesday following the abrupt resignation of Hal Mumme, who stepped down amid allegations of NCAA violations. His hiring was unanimously approved Wednesday by UK's athletic association's 18-member board of directors.
Morriss was given a one-year contract, and his status will be evaluated at the end of the 2001 season, athletics director Larry Ivy said.
Mumme, who went 20-26 in four seasons at Kentucky, issued a written statement late Wednesday afternoon, breaking a self-imposed silence that began shortly after the school began its internal investigation in November.
“I would like to emphasize that I had no knowledge nor did I participate or encourage any NCAA rules violations during my tenure,” the statement said. “However, these things did occur on my watch. As the person in charge, I felt it best for the program at UK that I take responsibility and resign.”
Morriss, an All-Pro offensive lineman in the NFL who played in two Super Bowls, then addressed board members following the vote to confirm his hiring.
“This is a little bit nerve racking,” an emotional Morriss told the board. “This is worse than stepping out on the floor of the Superdome and playing for the championship of the world — and I did that twice.”
Morriss said it does not bother him that the school committed to him for only one season, which may make it difficult to lure future recruits to Lexington.
“Everybody's looking for security,” he said after Wednesday's meeting. “But in my case, at this time in my career, it's opportunity that I'm after.
“If I do the job, I'm going to stay. I don't have a problem with that.”
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Morriss vows to heal UK