Florida Memorial University has chosen South Florida coaching legend Tim “Ice” Harris to lead the rebirth of its football program.
Athletic Director Ernest T. Jones and President Jaffus Hardrick introduced Harris as the Lions’ new head coach during a press conference in August.
“I’m so excited about being the new football coach at Florida Memorial University,” said Harris. “This has been something that I’ve worked for my whole career and I’m so excited and so committed to making sure that I do an awesome job here.”
Harris has excelled as a coach at both the high school and college levels. At Booker T. Washington High in Miami, Harris led the Tornadoes to three FHSAA state championships in 11 seasons over two stints at the school. The Tornadoes were national champions under Harris in 2013.
He also was twice part of the Miami Hurricanes’ coaching staff, first as assistant director of football operations under then-coach Randy Shannon from 2008 through 2011 and later as the school’s running backs coach under Al Golden, from 2014 through 2016.
Harris has also coached at Miami Northwestern, Miami Central and Miami High.
"I'm excited about the hiring of coach Tim Harris, the inaugural football coach of Florida Memorial University revived football program," Hardrick said. "I'm looking to where we're about to go and I'm looking forward to developing a winning tradition at Florida Memorial.”
For now, Harris and his new team are only practicing. The first game for the reborn program is in 2020.
The program last competed in 1958, back when the school was called the Florida Normal and Industrial Institute. The hiring of Harris, who is a proven commodity in talent-rich South Florida - should pay dividends in recruiting.
“It’s a new day,” Jones said. “Florida Memorial University will become the global university, academically and athletically, that others will want to mirror."
Harris went 114-21 as a high school coach, and earned coach of the year awards from the Miami Dolphins, USA Today and The Miami Herald, according to a statement release by the school.
Harris earned the nickname “Ice” decades ago, and it had nothing to do with his football exploits. He told The Associated Press in a 2015 interview that the name stuck because one of his favorite basketball players was longtime San Antonio star George Gervin, known as “The Iceman.”
Harris wasn’t wasting time in building a roster. He said that as soon as his introductory press conference was ending, “the recruiting process will start.”
FMU is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and plays in the Sun Conference.
“I’ve always wanted to be part of the football team,” 2009 Florida Memorial graduate Will Marcelin said. “I’ve always wanted to have a marching band. I’m glad it’s here.”