Clemson's Morris: Spoken to SMU about coaching job
Clemson coach Chad Morris said Saturday he has spoken with SMU representatives about its head coaching job, but no deal has been reached.
Morris is a Texas native who attended Texas A&M and was a longtime high school coach in the Lone Star state before making the jump to college.
He was asked about media reports that he is expected to become the new coach at SMU after Clemson beat South Carolina.
''I've spoken with them, yes. Haven't agreed to anything,'' Morris said.
SMU athletic director Rick Hart said in a text to the AP the school is still working through the hiring process and has no agreement with anyone.
SMU is looking for a replacement for June Jones, who stepped down two games into this season, his seventh with the Mustangs.
The Mustangs (0-11) are in the midst of an awful season. They've been outscored 441-97 and end the season next Saturday at Connecticut.
SMU experienced its best run under Jones since the program was shut down for two years in the 1980s by the NCAA for paying players. Jones led the Mustangs to four straight bowl games (2009-12). They slipped to 5-7 last season and are staring at their first winless season since 2003.
The 45-year-old Morris would seem to be a natural fit at the Dallas school. He won consecutive Texas state titles while coach at Lake Travis High School in Austin in 2008 and 2009.
Morris' first college job was as offensive coordinator at Tulsa under Todd Graham in 2010.
He has been the offensive coordinator at Clemson since 2011 and one of the highest paid assistant coaches in college football.
''I love Clemson. I've been here for four years. I love our fans and what they mean to college football. We all know, I do have a goal, I'd love to be a head coach one day,'' Morris said. ''When and where, we'll find out soon enough if it's part of the plan. If not, I'm extremely happy here and I love this group of guys. How `bout that?''
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AP Sports Writer Pete Iacobelli in Clemson, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
