Reese Morgan retires
Lang
3/6/19
Iowa assistant football coach Reese Morgan has announced his retirement.
Morgan, a member of the Iowa football coaching staff for 19 years, will step away prior to spring practice.
The 68-year-old Morgan has coached Iowa’s defensive line for the past seven seasons. He previously coached Iowa’s offensive line (2003-11) after serving as recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach (2000-02).
Iowa has posted a 151-91 record over the past 19 seasons with Morgan on staff, appearing in 16 bowl games, including 11 January contests, and the 2015 Big Ten Conference championship game. Iowa earned a share of the Big Ten title in 2002 and 2004. The Hawkeyes have finished in the Big Ten’s first division in 16 of the past 18 years.
Throughout his career, Morgan has coached three Outland Trophy winners (Chad Hennings at Benton Community High School, Robert Gallery, Brandon Scherff), and John Mackey Award recipient Dallas Clark. Four of his players have been named Big Ten Player of the Year at their position and three have earned consensus All-America honors.
Kelvin Bell, a member of the Hawkeye coaching staff for the past seven seasons, will serve as interim defensive line coach during spring practice. Bell has assisted Morgan with the defensive line for the past three seasons while also serving as recruiting coordinator.
Seven players coached by Morgan have earned first- or second-team All-America recognition. Nine earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and 14 were named second-team All-Big Ten. Thirteen of Morgan’s players have been selected in the NFL Draft, including five first-round selections. Three have gone on to earn NFL All-Pro recognition.
Morgan joined the Iowa staff after eight years as head coach at Iowa City West. West won state Class 4A (largest class in the state) titles in 1995, 1998, and 1999. Morgan left the program with a 26-game winning streak.
From 1994-99, Morgan’s West teams were 62-7, while his overall record at West was 67-20. He also served as Assistant Principal and Dean of Students at West. Morgan was a teacher (1973-92), assistant football coach (1973-77), and head football coach (1978-91) at Benton. He led Benton into the state playoffs on three occasions.
Morgan totaled 146 career prep victories and is a member of the Iowa High School Coach’s Hall of Fame. In October, 2018, Morgan was listed by the Des Moines Register as one of the 50 Greatest High School Coaches in state history.