John-Ryan Morrison has been named the new head coach for the STU Tommies men's soccer program. The new coach comes to the Tommies with extensive experience, coaching and playing.

Morrison, who continues to play soccer at the highest level in New Brunswick?playing for the Fredericton District Soccer Association Wanderers Senior A and B teams?has a history of winning provincial titles as a player and coach. A graduate of the University of New Brunswick, he played for the Varsity Reds, and in his one year as a Tommie, he lead the ACAA in scoring and was named team MVP.

Morrison said his brief time at St. Thomas as a student and as a Tommie left a lasting mark on him and is the reason he wants to return to the green and gold in his new role as head coach.

"I fell in love with the school, the class sizes, the people I met, and my teammates that I still call friends" Morrison said about his time at St. Thomas.

Morrison's coaching history includes heading numerous teams within the FDSA Premiership Program, the FHS AAA Black Kats boys and girls teams, and is currently a coach with the U13 Team NB girls.

"I am extremely excited and proud to be named the new head coach for the STU Tommies men's soccer team. It is going to be a big challenge to build the squad into a perennial playoff team; however, all of my recent coaching successes have come from equally large challenges," Morrison said. "Our success will not come by accident. It will come from hard work, sacrifice, dedication, respect for the sport, and a desire to learn."

"My job as coach will be to create an environment where the players want to show up every day. Most importantly, I want to create an environment where on-field success is only surpassed by in-class achievement."

St. Thomas University Athletic Director Mike Eagles said he looks forward to watching the program grow under Morrison's leadership.

"We are very excited to announce that John-Ryan Morrison will be the new head coach of our men's soccer program. He has an impressive resume as a player and as a coach. In meeting with him it is very easy to see the passion he has for soccer and the desire he has to build a winning program here at St. Thomas," said Eagles.

Morrison brings Joe Ross with him as assistant coach. Ross is another STU soccer alumnus that has strong coaching roots in Fredericton with previous experience as the head coach of the Wanderers Men's A and B teams, Leo Hayes High School junior varsity and varsity teams, and was recently awarded Soccer New Brunswick's coach of the year.

"Joe is going to be vital to the success of this squad and his passion and love for the game and for coaching will resonate throughout the team" said Morrison.

The Tommies finished their 2014-15 season with a regular season record of 2-7-3, missing playoffs for the third year in a row. They are looking to get over a playoff slump next season.