Michael Morris

Michael Morris

Michael Morris
(Wrestling Coach)


Wrestling dominance on Clapboard Ridge is one of awe, jealousy, envy and intimidation among wrestlers and coaches throughout the state of Connecticut. Many of the FCIAC and state opponents see the Hatter wrestlers walk into the gym with their bleached hair and cocky swagger and in the back of their minds they experience, despite their own success up until that point, doubt in their ability to win the match. The success of the wrestling program over the last twenty years is well known but the question comes upwhere did it all begin? The answer is our next Hall of Fame inductee, Mike Morris. From 1979 through the 1991 season Mike Morris led the DHS grapplers from a good, respected, program to one of the best high
school athletic programs of any sport in the state of Connecticut. His 219 wins are still the most by a DHS wrestling coach. During his tenure the Hatters won 7 FCIAC titles, 2 State LL Championships and in 1990 DHS became the first Connecticut team to win a New England Championship. In addition to coaching the varsity wrestlers Mike coached Junior High School wrestling and Junior High School football for seven years and spent a year on the DHS Varsity Football coaching staff. In 1997 Mike was voted into the New England Coaches Hall of Fame. In 2005 Mike retired from teaching in the Danbury school system after 35 years. He can still be seen rolling around on the mats officiating high school matches including many DHS matches.