After spending 20 years with Ohio’s hockey program, Dan Morris is moving on from his position as the director of Bird Arena and will be leaving Ohio University.
Morris, who played for the Bobcats from 1993-1997, was an assistant coach from 2000-2001 and then served as head coach from 2001-2013. He will be moving with his family to Dallas because his wife, Emily, received a promotion from VSP Global, a eye care company, and will be working in the city.
“When I stepped aside from coaching, my wife and I were hoping an opportunity like this would come our way, and this opportunity came up,” Morris said. “It required us to relocate. It’s exciting.”
Morris played on three American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championship teams between 1995 and 1997 and was the coach of another in 2004.
As a player, he was twice named a first team All-American, won an ACHA Tournament MVP award and was team captain during his senior season. He scored the second-most points in program history, and his head coaching record stands at 344-120.
“I made a lot of great relationships with the people I worked with and within the community as well,” Morris said. “It’s one thing to step aside from coaching, but it’s another thing to leave the school.”
Morris isn’t officially done working at OU until the end of the month, but his last day in the office was this past Tuesday.
“It’s a little emotional but everyone’s been great with it, from Ryan Lombardi all the way through the people I worked with daily,” Morris said. “It’s been emotional, but everyone understands, and there are other things in life.”
He also said that he will probably become involved with a hockey program in some capacity once his family transitions to Dallas.
“Two of our alumni that I coached work down there, so I’ve already reached out to them,” Morris said. “I think they’re excited.”
Ryan Lombardi, OU vice president for Student Affairs, said he doesn’t know who will be taking over Morris’ job in the interim, nor does he know when the search to find a permanent replacement will begin.
Ohio hockey coach Jonathon Sheridan said Morris helped integrate him into the Bobcats’ program.
“It’s definitely going to be different,” Sheridan said. “Mo has been a staple here for quite some time, so it’s going to be weird.”
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This article appeared in print under the headline "Morris steps down as director of Bird Arena"
