Coach Jim Morris

Coach Jim Morris resigned his earthly position on June 11, 2023 with high hopes of taking his program to the "next level." The son of Fitch and Catherine Morris, Jim was born on August 3, 1935 in Jeffersonville. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Jack and his sister Ann. A veteran of 42 years in teaching and coaching, his first priority was his family and he took great pride in following their various endeavors. He referred to JoAnn, his loving wife of 65 years, as the true "head coach" in the family. They met on a blind date when he was a sophomore in college and she was a senior in high school. Besides JoAnn, Morris is survived by his children Steve (Tamara), Dan (Holly) and Suzanne Johnson (Jay). Jim and JoAnn have seven grandchildren, Lauren Nallenweg (Adam), Kristen Morris (deceased), Cassie Morris, Maggie Morris, Jack Johnson, Kate Johnson and Anna Johnson; and three great grandchildren, Cameron Morris, Tanner Nallenweg and Margot Nallenweg. Morris is also survived by his sister, Mary Ellen Trott and numerous family members. The former coach lived by two maxims: appreciate your blessings and treat others as you would like to be treated.
Morris was a 1953 graduate of Jeffersonville High School where he played basketball, baseball and football. He attended the University of Notre Dame, playing freshmen basketball and baseball before transferring to Bellarmine University in which he graduated cum laude in 1957 with a BA in English. He also earned a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from Indiana University. At Bellarmine, Morris played three years of basketball and baseball, leading the Knights in scoring his sophomore year and co-captaining the team as a junior and senior. He was a catcher in baseball and is a member of the Bellarmine Athletic Hall of Fame.
Upon graduating from Bellarmine, Jim served active duty with the U.S. Army and five years in the Army Reserves. In 1958, he began a 42-year teaching-coaching career at the high school and college levels with stints at Louisville Flaget, New Albany High School, Oscar Rose Junior College, Indiana State University and Indiana University Southeast. In 38 years as a head coach, his teams won 521 games and his 1960 Flaget Braves won the Kentucky State Championship. In eight seasons at New Albany, the Bulldogs won three sectionals and a regional–he was also elected to the New Albany Hall of Fame in 2019. Jim was IUS' first full-time Athletic Director/Coach, securing the school's affiliation into the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) while developing a full-fledged athletic program. Coach Morris was honored as a Kentucky Colonel and The Sagamore of the Wabash. He held various administrative positions in the NAIA, President of the NAIA Coaches Association, Chair of the National Tourney and President of the KIAC Conference.
Morris was honored by the University with the Chancellor's Medallion in 2010 for his 25 years of service to the Grenadiers. The Medallion is awarded to those individuals who rendered distinguished service to the school and community. The Athletic Department also bestows the annual "Jim Morris Champion of Character Award" to a deserving athlete that represents his ideals of commitment, respect and integrity. The family would like to thank the numerous family members, friends, former players and IUS family members for all their support. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Indiana University Southeast Athletic Department at: https://give.myiu.org/iu-southeast/I320004014.html
Jim's Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM Monday June 19, 2023 at St. Augustine's Catholic Church(315 E. Chestnut St. Jeffersonville, IN.) with burial in Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Visitation for Jim will be held at the Indiana University Southeast Gymnasium from 1 – 6 PM Saturday and from 1 – 5 PM Sunday.
Coach's arrangements have been entrusted to the Naville & Seabrook Funeral Homes.