Benny Morrison is in his third season as a graduate assistant coach for the defense, where he works with the defensive linemen and assists the defensive staff. He is responsible for breaking down and organizing opponents’ film, instructing the scout team, generating practice schedules and scripts and assisting with the recruiting process.
In 2013, Morrison helped lead UTSA to a 7-5 overall record, including victories over a pair of bowl teams. The Roadrunners finished second in the West Division with a 6-2 mark in their first season in Conference USA. He helped mentor a defense that forced 14 turnovers (6 fumbles/ 8 INTs) and allowed only 143.1 rushing yards per game in 2013, including holding three opponents to less than 100 yards. The defensive linemen combined for 249 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, 17 quarterback hurries and eight pass breakups. Defensive end Codie Brooks was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team and earned honorable mention accolades alongside defensive tackle Ashaad Mabry and defensive end Robert Singletary.
In his first year with the Roadrunners in 2012, the program registered an 8-4 overall record and a 3-3 mark in its first and only season in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The campaign was highlighted by historic wins against South Alabama, the program’s first road and Football Bowl Subdivision victory, and New Mexico State, its first league win. The defense forced 29 turnovers (16 fumbles/13 interceptions), which led to 22 scores (15 TDs/7 FGs), and defensive tackle Franky Anaya earned second-team All-WAC accolades.
Morrison came to UTSA from Montana State, where he spent the 2011 season as the special teams intern coach. He helped the Bobcats to a 10-3 record, the Big Sky Championship and the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs.
The Lincolnshire, Ill., native was a four-year letterwinner at Drake from 2007-10, where he played linebacker for current UTSA defensive coordinator Neal Neathery. He garnered second-team All-Pioneer Football League and conference all-academic team honors, was an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team finalist and won the team’s Torchbearer Award — voted on by players and coaches as team’s top leader — as a senior. Morrison ranked second on the team with 71 tackles (39 solo), including 5.5 for loss and a pair of sacks. He also had a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown and a fumble recovery to help the Bulldogs to a 7-4 record. The co-captain picked up Pioneer League co-Defensive Player of the Week accolades and was an honorable mention FCS Defensive Linebacker of the Week pick.
As a junior, Morrison was an honorable mention all-conference and academic honor roll selection. He ranked fourth on the squad with 75 stops (35 solo), including 14.5 for 48 yards in loss and 4.5 sacks. He blocked two kicks, forced and recovered three fumbles and intercepted one pass to help Drake to an 8-3 record. As a sophomore he led the Bulldogs in tackles with 55 and he topped the Pioneer League with 87 stops and three fumble recoveries as a freshman in 2007.
An active volunteer, he organized or participated in community service events at Blank’s Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, the “Go Bulldog” Reading Program, Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald House and Boys & Girls Club.
Following his playing career, Morrison was a student intern with Drake during the Spring 2011 season, where he assisted with the linebackers, defensive scout team and official recruiting visits.
Morrison earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Drake in May 2011.