Courtesy of Millersville Sports Info
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. --– Millersville University Director of Athletics
Miles Gallagher has named
J.C. Morgan as the Marauders' head football coach. Morgan comes to Millersville after a 13-year stint at Shippensburg University where he served the last three seasons as the offensive coordinator.
Morgan provided a continuous supply of elite Division II football talent to Shippensburg as its recruiting coordinator. His efforts on the recruiting trail, especially in Central and Southeast Pennsylvania, set the foundation for two PSAC East titles, a PSAC Championship and three NCAA playoff appearances. Most recently, Morgan built one of the PSAC's most high-powered offenses. Over the past five years, Morgan has helped the Shippensburg offense break more than 100 school records.
"What stands out about J.C. is his passion for football and genuine care for the student-athletes," said Gallagher. "He has a brilliant record of identifying, recruiting and developing football players and young men. He knows the recruiting base intimately, and over the last three years, we've seen his high-powered offense in action. We are excited for him to bring winning football to Millersville."
"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to lead the football program at a great university," said Morgan. "Millersville has the support to return to prominence. There is a level of excitement in the athletic department and campus community. There is a hunger there for the football program to succeed."
Morgan's unit averaged over 400 yards of offense and at least 31 points per game in each of his three seasons engineering the offense. His rushing attack never ranked lower than third in the PSAC. Morgan coached 14 All-PSAC East selections as the coordinator, and as the team's running backs coach, he developed 14 All-PSAC East performers including four consecutive first team selections and first and second team selections in 2009 and 2010.
With Morgan calling plays in 2017, his offense averaged 35.7 points and 452.8 yards per game while ranking third in the PSAC in rushing offense and fifth in passing. It was an explosive unit, scoring 40 or more points in five games. Morgan's offense also played disciplined football, committing the third-fewest penalties in the league, and it turned the ball over just 13 times in 13 games. In 2016, his offense was the only Division II unit to lose just one fumble all season.
"We are going to play an up-tempo, high-energy style of football," said Morgan. "We will be aggressive. We will fly around. We will have a level of discipline needed to play championship football. It will be an exciting brand of football to watch. Fans will get a product that is enjoyable and entertaining.
This past season, Morgan's running game totaled 29 touchdowns and 2,459 yards rushing. His quarterback threw 25 touchdowns to just five interceptions, setting a school record for rushing yards by a quarterback while his running back set a school record for all-purpose yards. Utilizing a trio of running backs in 2016, Morgan's offense ran for 2,268 yards and 26 touchdowns. In his first season at the helm of the offense, Morgan guided the Raiders to 44.1 points and 458.6 yards per game. The unit set a school record with five 60-point games.
In addition to his on-the-field success, Morgan has earned a well-deserved reputation as a tireless worker. His off-the-field duties were key to building Shippensburg into an annual PSAC East contender. Even while serving as the offensive coordinator, Morgan continued to serve as the team's recruiting coordinator and academic coordinator. He was previously the team's video coordinator.
"What I will bring to Millersville is a positive energy, knowledge of football and ability to bring people together," said Morgan. "I will motivate young men to succeed on the field and in the classroom and in the campus community."
"J.C. has demonstrated the ability to coach football at a high level while stressing academic success and service to the community," said Millersville University Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Brian Hazlett. "His values align perfectly with the University's. We can't wait for him to get started."
Before his arrival at Shippensburg, Morgan served as the running backs coach at Moravian College in 2004, coaching Chris Jacoubs to a school record 1,789 yards and 19 touchdowns.
As a student-athlete, Morgan played fullback for Bucknell and led the 2001 team in touchdowns and yards per carry. Morgan received a bachelor's degree in business administration in 2004. As a senior, he served as an assistant varsity coach at Lewisburg High School and as an assistant coach for the basketball team.
A native of Middletown, Delaware, Morgan is a member of the American Football Coaches Association and has served on the minority issues committee since 2005. He and his wife Melissa are the proud parents of a young daughter, Daniella.