Dan Morrison’s laid-back demeanor belies his excitement for getting the ball into the air, and into the end zone. Morrison, who spent nine years as quarterbacks coach under June Jones at the University of Hawaii, most recently groomed Warriors quarterback Colt Brennan into a Heisman Trophy Award finalist in 2007. Brennan set an NCAA Division I-A record with 58 touchdown passes in a single season. The Washington Redskins picked him in the sixth round (186th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Shortly after providing some tips in January to the throngs of the interested coaches at the American Football Coaches Association Convention in Anaheim, Morrison joined Jones on the staff at Southern Methodist University, continuing a relationship that will begin its 10th season this fall.
Morrison offered some insight on his approach to coaching quarterbacks:
“The first meeting you ever have with your quarterbacks should never be in the classroom or locker room. Always have the first meeting in the end zone. The purpose of everything you do with your quarterback is geared toward getting in the end zone.
Make sure your quarterback plays close attention to detail -- from the routes that the wide receivers are running to the quarterback using his eyes and feet to create an advantage.
Internal control is a real trait of success for a quarterback. The quarterback has to be someone who can step into a leadership role on the team.
The three things to look for in a quarterback are accuracy, arm strength and arm speed.
The left foot and its placement is going to be critical to accuracy. The left foot and left shoulder should be pointed in the direction that the ball is going. When the throw is finished, the right shoulder should be pointed at the target.
Follow the receivers’ eyes instead of following the ball. We call this eye concentration. Don’t follow the ball through the air. Follow the receiver until the ball meets the receiver.
We tell our quarterbacks to throw with your feet, not with your arm.
In our offense, from about 6:50 to 7:00 in pre-practice, we work on handoffs and running plays. And that’s the end of the running plays. The running back is the key to get everyone on defense to slow down.
We do eyes training. Bury your eyes on your target. The longer you can do it, the more you can move the safeties. Jim Kelly was a master at that.
I’d always rather have a quick arm than a strong arm.
We don’t use any motion because it keeps the position reads easier.
Our receivers catch the ball with their hands only, always with the thumbs together. You catch in the noose, nowhere near the body.
Everyone usually wants to hear about how to get a fast release. One of the best ways to work on it is stand up against a gym wall. The heels are against the wall and the back is against the wall. Now throw the ball. It gets rid of the long arm and the release is faster.”
Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial.