Shorter University Men's Football

Zach Morrison is entering his eighth season as the head football coach at Shorter University, a position he has held since being named the program’s third head coach in December 2017. With a vision rooted in the phrase “Brick by Brick,” Morrison has committed himself to building a Christ-centered culture that emphasizes growth, accountability, and excellence on and off the field. “The program is built on relationships,” Morrison shared. “Relationships with one another, with our coaches, with the community, and most importantly with Jesus Christ. Every day we are working to grow mentally, physically, and spiritually, striving to get 1% better. We want to win the day and compete in everything we do.” A Georgia native, Morrison spent nearly a decade coaching at the high school level across the state before returning home to Shorter. At Forsyth Central High School in Cumming, GA, he was a four-sport athlete and a three-time All-Region selection in football. He continued his playing career as a member of Shorter’s inaugural football team (2005–2008), starting every game of his career at center. A standout on the field, Morrison was a three-time All-Conference selection, a two-time  All-American, and an Academic All-American. He helped lead the Hawks to a Conference Championship his senior year, when the offense finished No. 1 in the nation in rushing. Over his four seasons, Shorter posted a 25–18 record and earned its first playoff appearance. Morrison’s leadership extended beyond the field. As a member of the Leadership Board, he helped establish the Hawks Covenant, a set of standards for Shorter Football student-athletes. He was also honored with the Allison Ledbetter Award in 2008, recognizing him as Shorter University’s Student-Athlete of the Year. He graduated in 2008 with a degree in history and political science. “Coaching at Shorter is an honor, a privilege, and a humbling responsibility,” Morrison said. “My time here as a player shaped me into the man I am today, and having the chance to give back to this university means everything to me. This is the best small college in America, and I look forward to working every day with the incredible people who make Shorter special.” Morrison’s passion, energy, and faith are at the heart of his coaching philosophy. His mission is to develop men of pride, class, and character, student-athletes who represent Shorter well in the classroom, in competition, and in their communities. By grounding the program in biblical principles, Morrison seeks to equip his players not only for success on the field but also for lasting impact in every phase of life. During his tenure, Morrison has coached multiple All-Gulf South Conference selections and guided tight end Kyle Morlock, who became the third player in school history to earn two-time All-American honors. During his tenure, there have been 20 All-Conference, 3 All-Americans, and 1 Conference Player of the Year.  His teams have set numerous school records, including finishing 1st in the NCAA in fewest turnovers and Top 25 nationally in passing touchdowns. Defensively, the Hawks ranked among the best in the Gulf South Conference in total defense in recent seasons.  

Harlen Jacobs is entering his 4th season as the Defensive Coordinator at Shorter University.  Previously he served as the Defensive Coordinator at Notre Dame College (NDC). He brings over thirteen years of collegiate football experience. Beyond his impressive list of credentials, he has been instrumental in building winning programs including assisting NDC to two of the most successful seasons in the school’s history.  Coach Jacob’s has brought the Shorter Hawks defense from 8th overall in the Gulf South Conference to 4th overall in the GSC.  He has brought All-Conference players to the Hawk defense the last three seasons. Harlen Jacobs joined the NDC football coaching staff prior to the 2017 season as the team's Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach. Prior to the 2018 season, he was named Co-Defensive Coordinator. The 2018 season was the most successful in Notre Dame history, and Jacobs's defense was a big part of the team's run to the NCAA DII National Semifinals. In his first season as NDC's Co-Defensive Coordinator, his team ranked first in the country in red-zone defense (.513) and fumble recoveries (20). The unit also ranked third in turnovers gained (34), third in sacks (50), fifth in rushing defense (82.9 yards allowed per game), and 15th in third-down defense (.296).  NDC saw continued success in 2019, making an NCAA DII National Quarterfinals appearance, and the defense played a big role. The Falcons ranked ninth in Division II rushing defense, allowing just 90.0 yards against on average. Notre Dame also ranked second in tackles for a loss (128) and ninth in sacks (40). Jacobs's players have also seen a great deal of individual success as defensive lineman Sha'haun Williams led the NCAA DII in sacks (20.0) while defensive back Jeffrey Thomas led the country in broken-up passes (27) in 2018; both of those marks also rank in the top three in NCAA DII Single-Season history. As Co-Defensive Coordinator, Jacobs has led several players to multiple accolades that include 15 all-conference, five all-region and two All-American honors. In 2019, defensive back Bryce Sheppert was named MEC Defensive Freshman of the Year.   As the Special Teams Coordinator in 2017, Jacobs's unit led the MEC in punt return average (17.6). Overall, NDC had two return touchdowns. Marvelle Ross was named All-MEC as a return specialist that year.  Prior to his tenure at NDC, Jacobs spent seven seasons at Ohio Dominican University (ODU) finishing as the Defensive Coordinator. During this stint, ODU had six winning seasons, one conference championship, two NCAA DII playoff appearances, a NCAA DII National quarterfinalist appearance, and the most players receiving conference honors. With more than 10 years of coaching experience in the Midwest, Jacobs is excited to return home state and ready to begin his journey as a Hawk.  “I look forward to helping student athletes reach their full potential through the establishment of positive relationships founded on the principles of teamwork, respect, discipline, and morality. We will unashamedly strive to be winners on the field, in the community, and in our personal lives.” Jacobs was a two-sport athlete at The Ohio State University, where he earned four-varsity letters as a defensive back on the Buckeye’s football team and was a two-year letter winner in track and field. In 2002, Jacobs was an integral part of the Big Ten Championship football squad and the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Championship. He received his bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Science in 2005. Jacobs is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and is a graduate of Fredrick Douglass High school. 

Tight End Coach/ Graduate Assistant at Shorter University

Coach Zach Brooks grew up in Kennesaw, GA, and is a graduate of Kennesaw Mountain High School. He began his playing career at Shorter University in 2018 as a tight end, joining the football program during Coach Morrison’s first season as head coach. He competed for the Hawks from 2018-2020 before a career-ending knee injury cut his time on the field short. Following his playing career, Coach Brooks transferred to the University of Georgia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Management. His experience as both a student-athlete and leader has shaped his approach to coaching, emphasizing discipline, growth, and accountability. Now entering his second season as Shorter’s linebackers coach, Coach Brooks takes pride in giving back to the program where his own college journey began, mentoring players to succeed both on and off the field.  

Tim Glanton is a Georgia-bred educator and football coach whose career spans more than three decades of building winning programs at the high-school and collegiate levels. A three-sport standout at West Rome High School (Class of ’84), Glanton helped the Chieftains capture back-to-back state football titles in 1982 and 1983. He earned a scholarship to West Georgia College, where he was a four-year letter-winning wide-receiver and completed a B.S. in Recreation Management with an added certification in Health & Physical Education. Glanton entered the coaching ranks in 1990 at Thomasville High School and went on to sharpen offenses across Georgia—mentoring running backs, quarterbacks, and receivers at Calhoun, Coffee, and Tift County. His first head-coaching post came at Brooks County High, where he guided the Trojans to the state quarterfinals in his debut season. Subsequent stops included a semifinal run as offensive coordinator at Paulding County, a culture-changing three-year tenure as head coach at East Paulding, and the founding head-coaching role at South Paulding. In recognition of his impact, the South Paulding community named its football venue Timothy D. Glanton Field in 2013. That same year, Kennesaw State University tapped Glanton to shape its inaugural football program as special-teams coordinator and running-backs coach. Over 13 seasons he developed multiple All-Conference backs and specialists while helping the Owls establish themselves as perennial contenders. Known for his player-centric leadership, program-building acumen, and deep Georgia roots, Tim Glanton continues to inspire athletes with the discipline, resilience, and championship mindset that have

Malcolm Mercer joined the Shorter University football staff in 2025 as the Hawks’ defensive line coach. A native of Americus, Georgia, Mercer is a graduate of Americus-Sumter High School. He brings coaching experience from the University of West Georgia, where he served as a graduate assistant in 2024. As a student-athlete, Mercer played defensive line at the University of West Georgia from 2018 to 2023. During his collegiate career, he was a 20+ game starter and helped lead the Wolves to NCAA Division II playoff appearances in 2018 and 2021. Mercer holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of West Georgia. He is the only child of Derick and Valisa Mercer of Americus, GA.  

Keith Otis enters his first season as the Offensive Line Coach at Shorter University, bringing with him a wealth of experience both on the sidelines and on the field. Otis joins the Hawks after successful coaching stints at Trinity International University, Judson University, where he also took on responsibilities as Assistant Head Coach and South Atlanta High School. Prior to his coaching career, Otis was a standout offensive lineman at Northern Illinois University, where he played right tackle for the Huskies. His experience at the Division I level, combined with his leadership roles at smaller programs, gives him a unique perspective on player development and line play at all levels of college football. At each stop, Coach Otis has built a reputation for developing tough, technically sound offensive linemen and for being a strong presence in recruiting and leadership. His addition to the Shorter staff is expected to bring immediate impact to the trenches as the Hawks look to build a dominant front. Coach Otis is originally from Chicago, IL