Report: Former Kentucky head coach Guy Morriss dead at 71 after Alzheimer's battle

After a battle with Alzheimer’s, it has been reported this morning that former NFL player and college football coach Guy Morriss passed away. Morriss played center for 14 seasons in the pros with Philadelphia and New England. He then coached at all levels of football, most notably at Kentucky, for the remainder of his career.

Big Blue Insider Dick Gabriel was first to report the news. With his passing, an outpouring of love for a respected man in the sport of football is expected. Some kind words have already been shared from Morriss’ QB from Philadelphia in Ron Jaworski.

After a playing career at TCU and in the pros, Morriss joined the coaching ranks in 1988. After some other stops including a year at Mississippi State, he started in Lexington as the OL coach in 1997. Following Hal Mumme’s resignation due to a recruiting scandal, Morriss became head coach at Kentucky in 2001 and 2002. He went 9-14 in those seasons.

After coaching at Baylor for five seasons after that along with other schools, Morriss returned to Kentucky to help coach at Lexington Christian Academy before he finally retired from coaching. His overall record as a head coach stands at 27-54 over seven seasons overall.

Morriss had battled Alzheimer’s since 2017 and, as of this morning, is confirmed to be gone at the age of 71.