Morrison Goes to NBADL With Celtics, Lakehead Announces New Coach

Thunder Bay, Ont. - Lakehead Athletics will bid farewell to one its most successful coaches in recent times, as Scott Morrison will accept the head coaching role with the Maine Red Claws, the feeder team of the Boston Celtics. In his place, Athletics Director Tom Warden has hired Manny Furtado to lead the men's basketball program.

Morrison worked as an assistant and scout with the Boston Celtics' affiliate in Portland, Maine for the duration of the 2013-14 season. While coaching at Lakehead for 10 years, Morrison amassed a record of 185-174, with a Wilson Cup ('12) and CIS Silver Medal ('13) to his teams' credit.

Scott Morrison opened the media conference with a word of thanks, saying, "Words cannot express the extreme gratitude I have in my heart for the entire Lakehead University community and especially our close knit family within the Thunderwolves Athletics Department. Not only did they provide me the best possible environment to succeed as a basketball coach but also supported me to a fault the entire way."

Looking towards the future, Manny Furtado, of Hamilton, Ontario, will bring a wealth of basketball experience to the Thunderwolves' locker room. Furtado served as an assistant for the reigning CIS champion Carleton Ravens the past 2 seasons, and previously coached the Blessed Sacrament club team in Hamilton for nearly a decade, along with his former high school, St Mary's Catholic Secondary.

Manny Furtado was introduced on Friday. "Scott has built a well respected program over the years," says Furtado. "We need to begin laying the foundation for our season. I'm really looking forward to meeting the guys and support staff."

Morrison explained his decision, saying, "Despite the sadness I will feel when I leave Lakehead, it's a major step in the direction of a place I have dreamed of since I was a small child getting buckets in the Morell High School gym. I'm excited for the new challenges as well as the chance to walk the same court as some of the greatest players and coaches of all time. I hope that the players, assistant coaches and supporters who have been dedicated to our cause here at LU will understand the decision I've made and root for me to succeed at the next level, much like I will be cheering them on for years to come."

Morrison continued, "I would be remiss to not thank our AD Tom Warden who has been the perfect boss for me to work for. He's had my back through thick and thin and not once wavered from the promise he made to me in August of '03, that he would do everything in his power to help us win and for me to grow as a basketball coach."

Athletics Director Tom Warden remarked, "Scott is deserving of everything he has earned as a basketball coach, and we wish him well and all the success in the world moving forward. Mr. Furtado is a competent replacement who will lead the team through an excellent season and run with the torch received from Scott today."

Morrison is confident that Furtado will continue to build on the success of the program for years to come. "Coach Furtado is one of the hardest working coaches in the game, and has earned his chance to lead a team to competition. He is a student of the game, and will have the toughness, desire, and intensity required to continue to push Lakehead Basketball to the top of the OUA."

In closing, Morrison added, "I'd like to extend a huge thanks to every player who has worn the Blue and White since I took this job. Also to  the assistant coaches who have worked with us have played a part in the team's success. Especially Coach Matt Erdman who has been by my side since day 1, and Coach Mark English who has been with us during our stretch run.  We have many great memories to share and I appreciate everything they have done for the team."

Source: Lakehead Athletics