Former standout player and 2023 graduate Isaiah Morris has returned to his alma mater, now taking the reins as a coach after a successful playing and early coaching career. Morris, who played at Cal State Dominguez Hills from 2018 to 2023, is best remembered for his clutch performance in 2019 when he hit the game-winning shot against Mission Bay — a moment he still calls the highlight of his playing career. 

He entered the program alongside Alex Garcia and played high school basketball with another CSUDH standout, Jordan Hilstock. After his collegiate playing days, Morris began his coaching journey, most recently serving as an assistant coach at Vista High School, where he worked across all three levels of the program. Coaching runs in the family. Morris credits his father, a coach himself, as his earliest and most important influence. He also points to former CSUDH assistant coach Sam Stapleton, now at UC San Diego, as someone who helped shape his coaching philosophy. 

An injury during his sophomore year — a broken foot — gave him an unexpected opportunity to observe the behind-the-scenes aspects of team dynamics, sparking his long-term interest in coaching. 
CSUDH head men's basketball coach Steve Becker said, "We are excited about the opportunity to bring Isaiah Morris back to DH to help mentor our next group of student athletes. Isaiah is a fierce competitor who is incredibly genuine in everything he does, and the work ethic he displayed as a player is going to translate well into coaching. He was a four-year player for us and has had a tremendous impact on the culture we've built over the years. We couldn't be more thrilled to get to work with Zae!" 

His return marks a full-circle moment — from once wearing the jersey to now guiding the next generation from the sidelines.