James Morris

Bio

JAMES MORRIS – INDUCTED 2001 - TRACK & FIELD

Over the course of 19 seasons at South Plains College, James Morris built a powerhouse track and field and cross country program that left a permanent mark on NJCAA history. During his tenure, the Texans and Lady Texans produced an extraordinary 402 All-American performances—an achievement that included 60 individual national champions and 13 national championship relay teams. His influence extended to the world stage as well, coaching 16 athletes who went on to compete in the Olympic Games.

In 1986, Morris guided the Texans to the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championship—the first team national title in South Plains College history. His championship leadership continued throughout the 1990s. He was named Coach of the Meet at the 1993 NJCAA Marathon Championship after steering SPC to the national team title in the program’s first-ever appearance at the event. He repeated the feat in 1995, again earning Coach of the Meet honors as the Texans claimed their second national marathon championship.

Morris accomplished a similar breakthrough on the women’s side. In 1997, just one year after launching the Lady Texans track and field program, he guided the team to the National Marathon Team Championship, an extraordinary achievement for a program in its infancy.

His success in cross country was equally impressive. Morris was named NJCAA Region 5 Cross Country Coach of the Year four times and earned NJCAA National Cross Country Coach of the Year honors in 1991 after leading the Texans to their first-ever national team title in the sport. He was again named National Coach of the Year in 1994, 1996, and 1997, winning back-to-back national championships in 1996 and 1997.

Morris also received national recognition on the track, being named NJCAA National Outdoor Track Coach of the Year twice and NJCAA National Indoor Track Coach of the Year two times.

James Morris’s legacy is defined by excellence, innovation, and unmatched competitive success. His impact on South Plains College—and on the athletes he developed—endures as one of the most distinguished coaching careers in NJCAA history.