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University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics

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Dan Morrison

Quarterback guru Dan Morrison returned for his second stint with Hawaii football in January 2024.


Years Coaching
 
  • Hawai’i: 10th Season
  • Overall: 52nd Season

Education
 
  • UCLA, B.A., History (1971); Graduate School of Education (1972)
  • Lewis & Clark College, M.A., Counseling Psychology (1991)

Coaching Experience
  • Hawai’i, Quarterbacks (1999-2007; 2024-present)
  • Seattle Sea Dragons, Quarterbacks (2023)
  • Washington State, Quarterbacks (2021)
  • Houston Roughnecks, Quarterbacks (2020)
  • Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Quarterbacks (2017-2018)
  • SMU, Associate HC/Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks  (2008-2014)  
  • Roosevelt High School, Offensive Coordinator (1992) 
  • Lewis & Clark College, Quarterbacks (1991)
  • ‘Iolani, Offensive Coordinator (1989-1990)
  • Punahou School, Head Coach (1986-1988; 1993-1998)
  • Santa Monica High School, Offensive Coordinator (1973-81)

Coaching Highlights
  • Boasts five decades of coaching experience, renowned for his teaching skills in the intricacies of the run-and-shoot offense.
  • In his first stint at Hawai‘i, was part of the most successful era in program history while aiding an offense that put up unprecedented numbers.  
  • Developed two of the NCAA's most prolific quarterbacks in Timmy Chang and Colt Brennan.
  • Under Morrison's tutelage, Chang went on to become the NCAA's all-time leading passer, throwing for 17,072 yards while Brennan broke 33 NCAA records, including passing touchdowns in a season (58) and career (131) en route to becoming the school’s first-ever Heisman Trophy finalist.
  • Helped the Warrior quarterbacks pass for over 40,000 yards and 350 touchdowns, placing them in the top five nationally ranked for passing each year under his guidance while setting a combined 45 NCAA records.
  • Also part of a reclamation project at SMU, where the program set 13 of the schools 14 all-time offensive team records during his six-year tenure.
  • Helped SMU make four bowl appearances, including its first bowl appearance in 25 years.
  • Part of SMU's first Conference USA divisional title team. 
  • Mentored the Mustang’s Garrett Gilbert, who set five single-game passing records and went on to a 10-year NFL career.
  • Has also coached on the professional level in both the CFL and XFL.
  • Among the other players he guided were Jeremiah Masoli who was the CFL Eastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Jayden de Laura who was named the 2021 Pac-12 Offensive Freshman Player of the Year for Washington State.
  • Led Punahou School to its first-ever USA Today National Top 25 ranking in1994.
  • Named to state Coach of the Year in 1994 and was twice selected as ILH Coach of the Year. 

Playing Experience
 
  • Santa Monica College, 1968


Hometown
 
  • Santa Monica, Calif.

Personal
 
  • Wife: Karen; Daughter: Nikki; Granddaughter: Malia