New contract to keep Morriss at Kentucky through 2007

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart needed only four games to know in his heart that Guy Morriss was the man to lead the school&#39;s football program. <br> <br> Barnhart solidified Morriss&#39; tenuous contract situation Monday, guaranteeing the second-year coach of the 4-0 Wildcats would be around to anchor the team through the 2007 season. <br> <br> Morriss took over the program in February 2001 following the abrupt resignation of Hal Mumme amid internal and NCAA investigations into dozens of recruiting violations. The team was slapped with a three-year probation, a one-year bowl ban and scholarship reductions. <br> <br> Kentucky went 2-9 in Morriss&#39; first season but is off to its best start in 18 years with a nationally televised showdown at No. 7 Florida on Saturday. <br> <br> ``We wanted to begin a special week of preparation for our football team with a very special announcement,&#39;&#39; said Barnhart, who was hired this summer to manage an overhaul of the school&#39;s athletic department. <br> <br> Morriss originally accepted a one-year, $400,000 contract from former athletic director Larry Ivy. <br> <br> That deal was extended through the 2005 season several months later by University of Kentucky President Lee Todd, although a performance clause allowed the school or Morriss to void the deal on an annual basis. <br> <br> Morriss, a 15-year NFL offensive lineman with the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, was overcome by emotion several times Monday as he spoke about his new, guaranteed contract. <br> <br> ``I thank more than anybody &#39;&#39; he said, pausing and turning his head as tears streamed down his blood-red cheeks. ``I&#39;ve got to thank the players - they&#39;re unbelievable. <br> <br> ``They have never wavered, they have never blinked, and they have never taken a step back. All they&#39;ve done is bow their necks against all kinds of odds and done anything we&#39;ve asked them to do. I love these guys.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The hiring of Barnhart, who lured former University of Miami coach Dennis Erickson to rebuild the Oregon State football program, led many to believe Kentucky would look for a proven, high-profile coach following the season. <br> <br> Barnhart, however, said he had been impressed by Morriss&#39; energy and professionalism in leading an unheralded team crippled by NCAA sanctions. <br> <br> ``I want our players to know that we are in full support of their head coach, their coaching staff and the things they&#39;ve done so far this season,&#39;&#39; he said. <br> <br> ``For eight weeks, I&#39;ve spent time watching him doing his business and trying not to get in his way. It&#39;s easy to see why he&#39;s got a bunch of players who are willing to run through a wall for him.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The financial terms of the contract will remain the same as in the earlier versions $170,000 in base salary and $230,000 in compensation for his radio and TV shows and the school&#39;s endorsement deal with Nike - but may be renegotiated following the season, Barnhart said. <br> <br> Several Kentucky players at Monday&#39;s announcement said they were thrilled that their success on the field had cemented Morriss&#39; position at the school. <br> <br> ``He deserves it more than anybody I&#39;ve ever known,&#39;&#39; senior linebacker Ronnie Riley said. ``Look at where this program has been and look where it is now. There&#39;s no comparison. <br> <br> ``We&#39;ve always had some talent here, but we&#39;ve never really believed we could win every time we step on the field. Every player on this team believes that now, and that&#39;s all because of Coach Morriss.&#39;&#39;