When it was announced that former Marshall University football player Shannon Morrison was leaving his post as Bowling Green’s co-defensive coordinator to become the cornerbacks coach at Memphis, some Thundering Herd fans wondered about the reasoning of the move.
   Prior to Monday’s AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic at Ridgeway Golf Course, which concluded Conference USA Football Media Day activities in Memphis, Morrison elaborated.
   Basically, there were two raises involved — a raise in salary and a raise in temperature.
   So, while many people thought initially that the move was taking a step backward for Morrison, it was actually another step up the ladder for him and most importantly, his family.
   While money is certainly an issue when you are dealing with family, he said one of the main triggers was the climate.
He recalled one day living in Bowling Green, Ohio, that froze in his mind — no pun intended.
   “I went outside and started sweeping the snow for my wife and by the time I finished, there was more snow back on the ground than when I started,” Morrison said. “My wife said, ‘If we are here next year, I’m buying a snowblower.’”
Needless to say, Monday’s 94-degree day in Memphis was a stark contrast to what he had been accustomed to with lakeside effects.
   “Up there, the weather was so cold, but now it’s just so hot that you can’t really do anything,” Morrison said. “It’s taking some getting used to.”
   Morrison is one of two Marshall ties to the coaching staff for first-year Memphis head coach Larry Porter. Morrison, a 1995 Marshall graduate and Herd assistant coach from 2005-08, is an assistant on the defense of Tigers’ defensiive coordinator Jay Hopson, who also served as an assistant at Marshall (1996-00).
   It won’t be long until Morrison becomes reacquainted with Marshall.
   “Good to see you guys,” the ever-polite Morrison said with a handshake. “See you in what, two or three  months?”
Marshall plays Memphis on Nov. 13 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
   HARVEY vs. HARRIS: Marshall linebacker and East Carolina wide receiver Dwayne Harris got the early-season trash talk off to a quick start, albeit in a friendly manner during Sunday’s media day festivities.
   While Harvey was talking about leading the Herd to the Liberty Bowl, Harris reminded him of a catch from his back on a third--and-long play that served as a backbreaker in the Pirates’ win in Huntington last season.
   On the play, Harris fell to his back and quarterback Patrick Pinkney was hit. The ball fluttered perfectly to Harris who stretched out and used full concentration to make the catch.
   Needless to say, Harvey remembered the catch well.
   However, Harvey didn’t counter back by letting Harris know that he actually ran a faster 40-yard dash than the speedy ECU receiver. Harvey was clocked in 4.35 seconds recently by Marshall coaches.
   Harvey said he’s saving that for Greenville.
   “He’ll figure it out when I run him down,” Harvey said with his trademark smile.
   Grant Traylor is a reporter for The Herald-Dispatch. Contact him at 304-526-2759 or gtraylor@herald-dispatch.com.

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