Last spring, Morehouse College’s basketball program made a strategic decision influenced by NBA front office tactics, which has now resulted in winning the SIAC tournament title for the first time in 23 years. On a significant night, the Maroon Tigers defeated Tuskegee 66-56 to claim the championship, a milestone driven by a leadership choice led by Athletic Director Harold Ellis that set the stage for this success.
Harold Ellis, a Morehouse alumnus with NBA playing experience and professional executive background, chose to pursue a new direction for the basketball program following the tenure of Doug Whittler. Whittler had delivered steady achievements, including three consecutive SIAC East Division regular-season titles from 2022 through 2024, yet his teams never secured the tournament crown. Addressing the challenge of elevating the team beyond consistent winning, Ellis decided to shift the program’s ambitions and coaching leadership to achieve greater results.
Larry Dixon’s Vision Elevates Program Expectations
In May 2025, Morehouse hired Larry Dixon as the 14th head coach in its basketball history, signaling a commitment to reaching higher goals. In his inaugural season, Dixon led the team to both a conference tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance, fulfilling the program’s new ambitions.
Dixon conveyed a mindset geared toward championship success from the start.
“When I took over, because it’s just a belief in myself and the system,”
he said.
“And I told our guys, Morehouse is too good of a brand academically to go 23 years because you can get the best of both worlds.”
His approach emphasized that the institution’s academic reputation and athletic goals should complement each other rather than compete, creating a unique environment for growth.
Setting high standards immediately, Dixon shared with his players during their first workout that the program aimed to celebrate multiple achievements every year:
“You get great academics, great athletically,”
he explained.
“So I started talking to these guys the very first workout. We want to hang banners every year. We want to hang three banners, regular season championship and … championship tournament and then going to the NCAA.”
This championship mindset was central to his coaching philosophy and aligned with the broader administrative goals at Morehouse.
Team Dynamics and Embracing a New Culture Led to Success
Dixon stepped into a program that was already talented but in need of a breakthrough. The turning point came when his leadership and vision found full acceptance among key players.
“Well, I just say it’s a testament to them,”
Dixon commented.
“And we took off when Jermonte Hill and Sincere started to buy in. And when they bought in, we took another level.”
He reflected humorously on the team’s struggles during a challenging stretch over Christmas, which in hindsight was part of a larger plan to grow stronger:
“I’m so thankful that we lost. It was my plan all along to lose those games over Christmas and come back January and win the rest of the game,”
Dixon said.
“So we learned from that. We grew from that and we just kept getting better.”
On the night of the championship, Morehouse demonstrated that growth on the court. After falling behind 8-0 early, the Tigers rallied to lead 33-24 at halftime and eventually extended their lead to 17 points. They shot a strong 48 percent from the field, making 10 three-pointers, and led for nearly 32 minutes. Josiah Lawson contributed 17 points, while teammates Sincere Moore, JerMontae Hill, and Sincere Key all reached double digits. This cohesion was a testament to the team’s unity.
Dixon stressed the importance of camaraderie within the locker room:
“I think the one thing, they like each other. And anytime you like each other, it’s a great brotherhood,”
he stated.
“So I told these guys I want them to have memories that when they come back to the great homecoming, they can talk about their team.”
His simple formula was clear:
“I just want to sell my vision, sell my vision for the program, sell my vision for the kids.”
Adopting an NBA-Inspired Approach at Morehouse
Harold Ellis approached the championship victory not as a surprise, but as a validation of a calculated decision to elevate the program’s ceiling.
“I am so proud of my team,”
Ellis remarked.
“They fought all year. They prepared for it. And consistent. Coach Dixon empowered all the young men… and we got it done here. And as I said, championship number one, baby.”
This phrasing reveals how Ellis views the victory as a foundation for future success rather than a one-time achievement, reflecting his professional mindset shaped by his NBA experience. Dixon also expressed a long-term approach, rejecting traditional rebuilding timelines:
“When I took the job, I don’t have a three year plan. I don’t have a five year plan,”
he said.
“I got a every year plan.”
Morehouse’s administration took a significant risk by replacing a consistently competitive coach with a new leader focused on winning championships. Such moves in HBCU basketball can quickly draw criticism if results do not materialize. In this case, the gamble succeeded spectacularly, resulting in a SIAC title and an NCAA Tournament spot immediately, signaling the program’s ambitions have risen sharply. After a 23-year drought, Morehouse is now positioned not just to compete but to contend regularly with championship aspirations.
