USC Men’s Basketball: Stan Morrison Supports Andy Enfield

Apr 3, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Andy Enfield at press conference to announce his hiring as Southern California Trojans mens basketball coach at the Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Former Head Coach Stan Morrison is a living legend in Southern California on and off the basketball court. Morrison coached the Trojans from 1979 to 1986, leading the team to a 103-95 record in his tenure at USC, before coaching at UC Riverside and San Jose State at the end of his coaching career.

The man beloved in Los Angeles is jumping on the USC Basketball bandwagon, giving his thoughts on the recent swirl surrounding the Men’s Basketball program. “I love the hiring of Andy Enfield, he will be great for the USC Men’s Basketball Program and the city,” Morrison said.

The energy and charisma in his response took me aback, as Morrison held no hesitation about the hiring of the up-and-coming coach from Florida Gulf Coast.

For some background on Morrison, he was appointed to the NCAA Tournament Committee in Spring of 2006. Stan also served as Athletic Director at UCSB and UC Riverside, giving his leadership qualities to the Big West Conference.

Morrison also served as personal coach and consultant to Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal. A challenge, Morrison embraced, “He [Shaq] had tremendous form when he worked with me, he just never used the one-handed technique in the game.”

Despite the career full of success, Morrison always dives back to his second-love of coaching basketball.

“I think about coming back to coaching every second of every day, coaching is what I live for.”

Morrison emulates success on and off the court over the last 20-plus years as Chairman of the Board for High Five America, a San Diego-based organization, which uses basketball as a vehicle to combat gang violence, drug, and alcohol abuse issues.

He currently serves as president of the board of trustees for Olive Crest, group homes for abused teenagers. The man who has worn many hats throughout his career, was quick to support the head coach Andy Enfield.

“I Love his energy and ability to communicate,” Morrison said. “Communication is far and away the most important part of being a successful head coach.”

The Trojans are well on their way with a new head coach in Andy Enfield, and two highly touted assistant coaches Tony Bland and Jason Hart.