UNIVERSITY PARK — Chad Morris doesn't mind saying why he took the job as the head coach at SMU.
"You're in Dallas, Texas, number one... how about that?" Morris said at a Monday news conference.
He certainly felt right at home during his first day on job.
"It's a great day to be a Pony, let me tell you," Morris added.
SMU formally introduced new head football coach Chad Morris in a media event Monday. WFAA Sports' George Riba has more. George Riba / WFAA
He remembers traveling to Texas Stadium and sitting in the end zone during the 80s to watch SMU play
He comes to SMU with great credentials and a taste for Texas.
"What a great opportunity to land in Dallas last night and got to eat a Whataburger right off the plane... so man, life doesn't get much better than that," Morris said.
Morris is a Texan at heart. He grew up in Edgewood in East Texas. He's a former high school coach, winning state championships at Bay City High School and Lake Travis High School in Austin.
SMU is hoping that his Texas ties will help woo some of those great locally-grown players to Dallas.
"There are some great players right underneath our own wingspan, within a quarter tank of gas drive, you can get all you want," Morris said. "I will say this: We're not going to play second fiddle to anybody, and we're not going to back down from anybody."
"I think his ties with the High School Coaches Association means immediately, you'll see a jump in the interest and in the acceptance of student athletes in the high schools of Texas to come to SMU," said SMU president Dr. R. Gerald Turner.
As the offensive coordinator at Clemson, Morris was named the 2013 national assistant coach of the year by the American College Football Association.
His offensive teams have consistently been playing at or near record levels, setting a school record in 2012. Morris said he's ready to start recruiting right away.
"The one thing they're going to have to tell me is 'Whoa', not 'Go', because I'm going to be on the go all the time," Morris said. "I think this is a gold mine."
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