The Grinch hard at work in Houma
December 12, 2015
William Gautreaux
December 16, 2015
Dr. Richard Morris Coats couldn’t stop talking about his other love, even while he was out on a date.
During the Thanksgiving break in 1984, Morris was in his first year teaching at Nicholls State University when he agreed to go on a blind date. He met Anna Lisa Duval at her friend’s house for a get-together, and Lisa recalls Morris spouting off his knowledge of economics in an apparent attempt to impress her.
“He would just talk about economics, and I would just look at him like, ‘OK, this isn’t quite what I had in mind, but OK,’” Lisa said.
While the first date left her hesitant to give Morris another chance, Lisa eventually relented. Lisa recalled how she came away impressed by how self-assured he was, and the two had a great time out.
“He was small in stature, and he did stutter, but it was the confidence that none of that mattered. He wasn’t measured from head to toe, he was measured from ear to ear, and he knew he was a smart guy,” Lisa said.
Three children, one grandchild and a new last name for Lisa later, and it is clear Morris’s confidence and intelligence paid dividends. Morris passed at the age of 60 on Dec. 3, 2015.
The former professor grew up in Jennings, the son of two nurses. His father was an anesthetist and his mother a general nurse. While growing up, Morris discovered and nurtured another passion: music. He grew close to the tuba, and he played the largest brass instrument in marching band. His drive and skill led him to a spot on the Louisiana State University Golden Band from Tigerland while he studied economics.
Morris’s devotion to economics never ceased, as he went on to get a doctorate in economics from Virginia Tech University. He came to Nicholls to continue researching and ignite fires in future students, and he would have made 31 years at the school in January. Morris specialized in public choice, looking at subjects such as tax policy and pricing policy, particularly in relation to tobacco and excise taxes. Finance professor Dr. John LaJaunie said in his 25 years working with Morris, nothing was ever halfway when it came to teaching.
“He was forever working with students one-on-one outside of his office. He was just determined to help students learn economics, to get excited about it,” LaJaunie said.
Aside from helping his students learn concepts, Morris helped his colleagues develop their own ideas. He always embraced debate on research ideas or university policies, using academic iron to sharpen iron.
“He often would have different ideas with other people, and they would share ideas. He liked to get his point across and challenge people, and they would challenge him back,” Lisa said.
LaJaunie said he and Morris have disagreed many times over the years, sometimes resulting in the colleagues and friends storming off in opposite directions. However, a half-hour later the two would be in an office talking about how their kids were doing.
“It wasn’t personal. It was always philosophical issues pertaining to either research or doing something that made the students better. After talking to Morris, you could always bet that your idea was more fully developed and was better,” LaJaunie said.
Supporting others’ passions certainly did not stop once Morris left his office either. Morris loved and supported his children’s interests, as he and Lisa would go from a soccer game with their daughter Kelsie in the afternoon to a band festival in the evening, where son Mason was continuing the bond between Coats men and tubas. All that Morris asked was that their interests did not affect their schoolwork, and that they truly cared for what they were doing.
“He didn’t care what they wanted to do, whatever they wanted to do as a career. Just be the best that you can be. Do your best at all times, because if you’re not, then you’re cheating yourself and the people around you,” Lisa said.
LaJaunie said that while Morris’s intellect was unrivaled at Nicholls, his biggest mark on the world will be from what he did away from the university.
“Morris Coats’s greatest legacies are named Kelsie, Mason and Ian. He has three fabulous kids, and Morris was most proud of being a dad,” LaJaunie said.
Morris followed his interests until the end, as he continued to play the tuba and also channeled his inner rock star on the electric guitar. He was ready to be known as “Doc” to his granddaughter Charlie Ann after the family convinced him “the professor” wasn’t going to work. Lisa said that although her husband only spent 60 years on this earth, he got the most he could out of them.
“I have to say it’s the quality, not the quantity. He did live a very quality life. He did what he wanted to do, he worked the way he wanted to work, and lived the way he wanted to live. And I think that’s all anyone can ask for.” •
Dr. Richard Morris Coats, a professor at Nicholls State University for almost 31 years, loved his family, teaching and music. He pushed others to chase success in their own callings. He died at 60 years old on Dec. 3, 2015.
