Bill Morgan

Bill Morgan was born on September 30, 1936 in Morris, Alabama in Jefferson County. He was a four-year letterman in football, basketball, and baseball, playing three years at Mortimer Jordan High School and his senior year at West Jefferson High School. He was selected to the All-Jefferson County Football Team his junior year and scored 18 touchdowns as a senior.

Morgan served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and upon discharge from service in 1955, enrolled at Memphis State University. Bill transferred to Holmes Junior College in 1956. As the starting fullback and linebacker he earned the nickname “Earth Quake”. Morgan transferred to Louisiana College in 1957 to complete his eligibility and earn his education degree. While there, Bill played fullback and linebacker, scoring six touchdowns in his senior season. Two of those touchdowns helped his team to a win over Louisiana-Monroe, which enabled the Wildcats to go to the Rice Bowl, the only bowl game in the school’s history.

Upon graduation in 1959, Coach Bill Morgan was hired as the backfield coach at Leesville High School in Louisiana. In 1960, he returned to Alabama as the head football, basketball, and baseball coach at Kennedy High School in Lamar County. It was here that Bill met Pat Ayers and they married in 1960. Coach Morgan’s basketball record at Kennedy High School was 27-5 and his teams won Lamar County championships in basketball and baseball. His baseball team made it to the semifinals of the State Tournament, and the young coach was named the head baseball coach for the East-West All-Star Game held in Jasper.

In 1961, Coach Morgan was named head football and baseball coach at West Blocton High School. In 1963, he won the county title in baseball and again coached in the East-West game in Montgomery. In 1964, Coach Morgan was named head football, basketball, and baseball coach at Ragland High School in St. Clair County. His team won the District Six championship in basketball and went to the Elite Eight in the 1964 State Tournament in Tuscaloosa. Coach Morgan’s team also won county championships in football, basketball, and baseball, with the baseball team again going to the State Tournament.

In 1966, Coach Morgan was named the defensive coordinator and head basketball coach at Arab High School. In 1970, he was named head baseball coach and reinstituted the baseball program at Arab High School. His work with legendary Coach Buster Gross produced numerous victories in football. In 1974, Coach Morgan followed Gross to Emma Sansom High School as the football defensive coordinator and the head baseball coach. His baseball team again made it to the State playoffs in 1975. While at Emma Sansom, Bill was voted “Teacher of the Year” and was a finalist for “Alabama Teacher of the Year.”

In 1977, Coach Morgan returned to Arab as the football defensive coordinator and head baseball coach. During the 1978 football season, his stingy defense shut out four teams and held their opponents to an average of 7 points per game. From 1978 through 1984, his baseball teams won six Marshall County championships. Coach Morgan’s 1984 baseball team had a record of 23-7-1 and won the Marshall County and Region 10 championships. Bill was also named head coach of the North All-Star team that year, and his North squad won the game for the first time ever. During his coaching years, Bill also served as an official for high school basketball, baseball, and softball. He retired from coaching in 1985 and from teaching in 1993. Coach Bill Morgan’s coaching records included 140 wins and 48 losses in basketball, 11 county baseball championships, being named Marshall County Baseball Coach of the Year six times, and 10 trips to the State playoffs.

Since his retirement, Bill has volunteered his time to the Arab High School baseball team, where they went to the State playoffs each year. He also managed the Arab Little League Baseball Program, supporting 400-500 children ages 5-12, including having the pleasure of coaching his own grandchildren. Bill and Pat are active members of the Arab Church of Christ and reside in Arab, along with their two sons, Jeff and Keith, and their families, which include three grandchildren. He spends as much time as possible with them and enjoys attending high school and college sporting events.