Upon being hired by the Washington Commandos in 1987, Harrison became the second black head coach in modern professional football history (after Willie Wood).
In 1964, Harrison accepted a position as an assistant coach at John Adams High School.[4] He served as head coach in his final two years with the school (1967–1968).[5]
In 1969, Harrison became an assistant coach at his alma mater, Kent State University.[2] He served in that position for two years before being named offensive ends and receivers coach at Iowa in January 1971.[5][6] After serving three years at Iowa, Harrison was named offensive line coach at Cornell in January 1974.[7][8]
In January 1975, Harrison was named assistant coach at North Carolina State.[8] After two years there as offensive tackles coach and tight ends coach, Harrison was hired as Tennessee wide receivers coach in 1977.[9] He spent six years with Tennessee before being named wide receivers coach of the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League (NFL) on February 16, 1983.[10] After four seasons with the Falcons, he was fired in December 1986 along with several other of the coaches.[11]
In 1987, Harrison accepted a position as head coach of the Washington Commandos in the Arena Football League (AFL).[12] The move made him the second black head coach in modern professional football history, after Willie Wood.[13] Washington compiled a 2–4 record with Harrison as head coach.[14]
In March 1988, it was announced that Harrison had been hired by Georgia to become the wide receivers coach.[15] He served with them until being hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992 to coach the receivers.[16] He was fired in January 1994.[17] Harrison was later named receivers coach at Boston College, where he served from 1994 to 1996.[18]
Later life and death
Harrison later served as an Atlanta Falcons scout, being named NFC Scout of the Year in 2011.[18]
Harrison died on April 15, 2022, at the age of 80, after a long illness.[18]