Morrison coached during the 1974 and 1975 seasons at VMI under head coach Bob Thalman. At VMI, Morrison was in charge of linebackers initially and later offensive guards and centers. He was a college football coach for 35 years, with stints at eight different schools.

The Youngstown, Ohio, native was hired by legendary Michigan head coach Bo Schembechler in 1987 and stayed there for 16 seasons, until 2002, serving as an assistant under Michigan’s next two head coaches, Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr. Michiganwonthenationalchampionship under Carr in 1997. As Michigan’s recruiting coordinator, Morrison was credited with recruiting 19 future NFL players, including Tom Brady, considered by many to be the greatest NFL player of all time.

Other colleges in which Morrison coached included the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was the defensive coordinator in the mid-1980s, Louisiana State University, North Carolina State University, the University of Virginia, Bowling Green State University and the College of William and Mary, where he coached linebackers in the early 1970s under head coach Lou Holtz, who later won a national title at Notre Dame.

Morrison was preceded in death by his wife, Marty Cartnal Morrison. He is survived by a sister, Sue Morrison Jennings; a brother, Thomas Ty Morrison, a son, Robert Knox Morrison III; a daughter, Robin Morrison Martz; and four grandchildren.

Nie Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Ann Arbor handled the arrangements A celebration of life was held Wednesday, Dec. 18. Memorial donations may be made to the Arbor Hospice or the Temagami Community Foundation.