One of the most beloved Canes is saying farewell to The U. After contributing so much for the past 25 years and being the captain of this ship, Miami Hurricanes head baseball coach Jim Morris is departing from Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.
Miami Hurricanes Head Baseball Coach Jim Morris concluded his home career with two victories in the Final regular season series last month in Coral Gables. There was a ceremony before the final game on Saturday.
The game was eventually canceled because of lightning in the area. Miami had been going for the sweep over the Eagles after winning the first two games of the series. The victories over Boston College extended the Hurricanes season-high winning streak to 10.
Miami extended the winning streak to 11 with a victory over Notre Dame in the ACC Tournament. The season and winning streak concluded with a loss to second-seeded Clemson in the ACC Tournament in Durham, North Carolina.
Morris’ has a very impressive resume to end his career with the Miami Hurricanes. He won two National Championships (1999 and 2001), had13 trips to the College World Series in Omaha, 1,090 wins and an overall record of 1590-715-4 in 41 years as a Head Coach.
Morris won ACC Coach of the year four times (1983, 1987, 1993 with Georgia Tech and 2008 with Miami). Morris had166 players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. Twenty-four of them made it to the Major Leagues.
Post career Morris will be able to enjoy his hobbies more than having much to do with baseball. It was time for Morris to leave the dugout and enjoy his other interests. Spending time with his family, golf, the gym, and watching his little son play Little League Baseball.
Morris told the Miami Herald he offered to help with his six-year-old son Will’s little league team. He doesn’t expect to coach again beyond that.
"“It’s made me look at everything differently, no question…I told Will’s youth baseball coach, ‘Anything I can do to help I will, as long as I’m on this side of the fence and you’re on that side…Now and forever, I don’t expect to be on the field. I do not expect to coach again.”"
Number three sooner or later will be hung up as retired at Miami. Morris’ 25 years as a Hurricane has affected a lot of players life not just on the field but off the field as well.
Morris wanted to end his career in the College World Series, but it wasn’t meant to be. As the Miami Hurricanes gathered as a team on Memorial Day, they did not see their team selected during announcement special for the NCAA Baseball Tournament on ESPN.
"Morris said at the time. “I just hope we end up in Omaha, to be remembered for that, having gone so many times to the College World Series. It would be nice to go out in Omaha, win or lose, for your last game.”"
Next: Miami baseball: Jim Morris’ career ends with 7-1 loss to Clemson
Coach Morris has had one amazing ride as a head coach and a great one as a Cane. Gino DiMare, Morris’ assistant for 17 years with the Miami Hurricanes baseball team will take over as Head Coach next season. Pitching Coach J.D. Arteaga will also return.