Morgan, Reese

Reese Morgan – (2006)

 

Reese Morgan has achieved success and recognition at every level of his football career.

He was a three-year letterman as an outstanding offensive tackle and defensive linebacker at Lorain St. Mary High School. During this period, the teams compiled a 24-game undefeated string including a perfect 9 – 0 record by the 1967 team, coached by Tim Rose, that was enshrined in 2005 by the Lorain Sports Hall Of Fame. Reese was selected to the North Central Conference All-League squad three times in recognition of his defensive play.

Morgan continued his playing career at Wartburg (Iowa) College where he excelled as a four-year starter at linebacker and was the Captain in his senior year.

After graduation, Reese started his coaching career in 1973 at Benton (Iowa) Community High School and was head coach from 1978 thru 1991 guiding his teams into the state playoffs on three occasions.

Reese then moved on to West High School in Iowa City where he took a program that had lost 35 games in a row and resurrected it to a perennial power, posting undefeated seasons and winning State Class 4A titles in 1995, 1998 and 1999. He left the program with a 26-game winning streak. Between 1994 and 1996 his West High teams were 62-7 and he was recognized as one of the most successful coaches in Iowa high school history. This recognition was confirmed as he was named to the Iowa High School Coach’s Hall of Fame.

In 2000, Reese joined the University of Iowa football staff of Coach Kirk Ferentz as Tight Ends coach and Recruiting Coordinator. Players recruited during his three-year tenure were key to the continuing success of the Hawkeye football program.

His most notable Tight End that he coached was Dallas Clark, who was a consensus All-American in 2002 and was the winner of the John Mackey Award, which is awarded annually to college football’s Top Tight End.

Reese was then appointed offensive line coach in 2003 and was instrumental in the emergence of a young offensive line that meshed together as Iowa’s strong point. It was led by Robert Gallery who was named First Team on every 2003 All-American team and was named the Outland Trophy winner, which is awarded annually to college football’s Top Interior Lineman. Clark and Gallery were both high draft selections in the NFL draft.

Reese has been an integral part of the success enjoyed by the Hawkeye football program which has been in a Bowl game every year since he joined the staff.

Morgan earned his BA degree in Education from Wartburg College and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of Northern Iowa. Reese and his wife Joanna have two daughters, Jessica and Caitlin and a granddaughter.

*WELCOME, REESE MORGAN, INTO THE LORAIN SPORTS HALL OF FAME*