Harrison spent a year as athletic director and head coach at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, before resigning in a surprise move at the end of a basketball season where he had led the Titans to a 13–1 record.

[1][2] In 1942 Williams was called to Navy service and Harrison was elevated to the head coach position.

His 1944–45 team went 17–1 behind All-Americans Dick Ives and Herb Wilkinson and won the Big Ten Conference title.

At the close of the season, Harrison was fired from his post as the University cited a failure to perform his job duties.

[3] Upon leaving the Hawkeyes, Harrison was named general manager of the professional Waterloo Hawks for their final season.