Coach’s Corner: Texas assistant Morell
In this segment, PrepHoops sits down with assistant coaches at the high-major level to help recruits get a better idea of what goes on behind the scenes regarding the recruitment process, life of being an assistant coach at the high major level and what aspects of a recruits game they are looking at.
Coach’s Corner-Texas assistant Mike Morel
PrepHoopsNC’s Justin Byerly had the chance to talk with University of Texas assistant coach Mike Morell to discuss his move from VCU to Texas, recruiting and working for one of the best young coaches around, Shaka Smart.
PrepHoopsNC: You have had a whirlwind last couple of years, can you tell me about going from VCU AC to Texas AC?
Mike Morell:Being in a new part of the country has been a great experience, all my previous jobs had came in the southeast. From clemson to Charleston southern to vcu so being here at Texas has opened up a whole new set of doors and relationships. We are going into year 3 here at Texas but you are still learning new things everyday. The process in early April 2015 when we actually made the move was nuts and exciting all at the same time. Obv leaving VCU was very hard but I was very excited about the opp we were coming to here at Texas.
PrepHoopsNC:What are the biggest challenges in finding players and understanding how their game would translate to the Big12 level?
Mike Morell:I’m not sure if it’s as much of challenge trying to find players who translate to the Big12 but for us it is more about finding our type of guys that will succeed in our program. Obviously you have to have a certain talent level in order to be successful in the Big12 but we want to make sure we are finding guys who fit coach Smart, our team, and Texas. That takes time, but i feel like we are in a really good spot in terms of the players we’ve recruited and moving forward here at UT.
PrepHoopsNC: What’s it like working with one of the best young coaches in the game like Shaka Smart?
Mike Morell:I’ve known Coach Smart since we worked together at Clemson when he was an Assistant coach and I was a grad Asst in 2007. Everyday is another opportunity to learn with him and his energy level is one of his greatest assets. Coach is always thinking of ways to move our program forward and that all starts with our players here at UT. Our number 1 job responsibility for him has always been to spend time with our guys and develop the most meaningful relationship possible. That comes from Coach Smart and is what he is all about as a coach. So it’s been a great experience to have worked with him for so long and been a great opportunity for me as I’ve developed as a coach over the last 7 years.