Courtesy of Bluefield State Athletics
Davon Morgan is the new head football coach at Bluefield State University. Morgan’s hiring was announced on Tuesday by BSU VP of Intercollegiate Athletics, Derrick Price, at the Club on the Green in Bluefield, WV. Morgan, who was a Virginia Tech football captain and star (2007-2010), met with members of the B-State football team, then fielded media questions and met BSU fans, friends, alumni, and the community during the program.
Asked about his thoughts about the challenges and opportunities of his new position as head coach of the Big Blue football program, he responded, “The question isn’t “Why Bluefield State?’ It’s ‘Why not Bluefield State?’ I see an opportunity to revive a program that wants to thrive on and off the field. The administration gets it and understands what it’s going to take to win. They have done a tremendous job with their efforts in rebranding the University. Now, my focus is to put in the work of building a team that the community and the State of West Virginia can be proud of. We will have the ‘Blue Collar, Gold Standard’ mentality.’”
“I strongly believe that Bluefield State is like a Diamond in the rough,” he continued. “Remember a diamond is just a piece of coal that did well under pressure. It’s time to apply pressure and let our actions speak for us!” He succeeds Tony Coaxum, who resigned as B-State football coach this January, after helping to launch the resurrection of the University’s football program in 2021 following a 40-year absence.
Dr. Darrin Martin, BSU Interim President, welcomed Coach Morgan to campus and thanked the football coach search committee for its thorough and expeditious work. “Davon Morgan’s experience as a student-athlete playing for Virginia Tech coaches Frank Beamer and Bill Foster, his years as a professional football player, and as a very successful assistant coach at the collegiate level have prepared him well for this opportunity. He is invested in the success of the University’s student-athletes in the classroom, on the football field, in the community, and in their careers and lives after graduation.”
“These are exciting times at Bluefield State University,” BSU Board of Governors chairman Charlie Cole said. “Coach Morgan is a dynamic leader who has experienced considerable success as a player and coach. He joins the Big Blue family just a few days after the B-State men’s and women’s basketball teams made history with their success in last week’s CIAA tournament. These are exciting times for Bluefield State University.”
Coach Morgan comes to BSU from Florida A&M University. He was the defensive coordinator of the Rattlers’ very successful team. His defense ranked in the top 25 in the nation in six statistical categories. In 2023 at FAMU, Morgan’s defense was the top-ranked secondary in the nation at the FCS level.
The new BSU football coach has a track record of developing student-athletes who have reached the NFL, including defensive backs K’Von Wallace (former Clemson standout now playing with the Tennessee Titans) and Jalen Elliott (former Notre Dame star now playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers).
As a member of the Virginia Tech football team (2007-2010), Morgan was a team captain and an All-Atlantic Coast selection honors as a defensive back. He helped lead the Hokies to three Conference Championships and three BCS Bowl games and was a member of the all-time winningest class in Virginia Tech football history.
“I am very grateful for the dedicated efforts of our search committee for finding an exceptional candidate to lead our football program,” Derrick Price, VP of Intercollegiate Athletics, said. Price also expressed his appreciation for each of the candidates who took part in the search process.
“To our new head football Coach, Davon Morgan, I extend my warmest welcome and heartfelt congratulations,” Price added. “Your track record of success, commitment to student-athlete development, and passion for the game of football make you the ideal leader for the Big Blue. Thank you for joining B-State. I look forward to witnessing the very positive impact you will make on our football program and this University.”
Davon Morgan, B-State Football Coach Bio
Bluefield State University Vice President and Director of Athletics Derrick Price named Davon Morgan the new head football coach at BSU.
Coach Morgan has worked and played for some of the best coaches in the business, including Frank Beamer, Bud Foster, Torrian Gray, Jim Cavanaugh, Rex Ryan, Chip Kelly and Curt Newsome. His career has included stops at elite Division IAA, Division II, Division III and NJCAA football programs around the East and Southeast. As a collegiate player and coach, he has been a part of one national championship and four conference titles.
BEFORE BSU
Morgan joined Florida A&M in 2022, where he coached the safeties and nickelbacks and contributed to a defense that ranked in the top 25 in six categories. In Morgan’s first season, with the Rattlers, he worked with the safeties and saw FAMU’s Javan Morgan earn All-SWAC honors after leading the team with four interceptions (T-15th in the nation). Javan Morgan also finished third on the team with 42 tackles.
During the 2023 campaign, Morgan was promoted to defensive pass game coordinator while coaching the safeties and nickels again earning the statistically top secondary in the nation(FCS). Two safeties on the Rattlers’ defense, Javan Morgan and Lovie Jenkins, were selected to the All-SWAC teams, Morgan was again part of one of the nation’s best defenses, ranking top 10 in 12 categories. Morgan was also part of a historic Rattlers team that earned its first-ever SWAC Championship and won \ the Celebration Bowl with a 12-1 record.
Coach Morgan, who has 13 years of coaching experience, played professional football with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. Collegiate coaching started for Morgan when he became the Defensive Backs Coach at Virginia State University during the 2015-2016 seasons after being released from the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014. After that, Morgan made stops at the Virginia University of Lynchburg, where he was the Special Teams Coordinator and Co-Defensive Coordinator. Coach Morgan helped them to four wins after the school had not won a game in 11 years. During the fall of 2019, Morgan then become the NFL Liaison for Pro Scouts and was named Defensive Pass Game Coordinator at Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, West Virginia. Following the 2019-2021 seasons,
Coach Morgan transitioned to the offensive side of the ball at Emory & Henry College, where he was the offensive pass game coordinator and coached wide receivers under Curt Newsome. In June of 2022, Morgan was named the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Elizabeth City before getting the call to head to the A&M Rattlers.
Morgan comes to Bluefield State University with a clear understanding of both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. He comes to Bluefield State University from Florida A&M University, where he was recently promoted to co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
The new BSU football coach has a track record for developing student-athletes who have reached the NFL, including defensive backs K’Von Wallace (former Clemson standout now playing with the Tennessee Titans) and Jalen Elliott (former Notre Dame standout now playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.) Before his time coaching, Coach Morgan owned Wizard Fundamentals, a company where he conducted player development to ensure that the youth in the community of Richmond, Virginia were learning proper football fundamentals.
COACH MORGAN’S PLAYING CAREER
Following a standout career at Varina High School in Richmond, Virginia, Morgan played collegiately at Virginia Tech (2007-2010). He was a team captain and made ALL-ACC honors as a defensive back. He helped lead the Hokies to three Conference Championships and three BCS Bowls, becoming the all-time winningest class in Virginia Tech football history. Morgan was selected by the New York Jets as a priority free agent after the 2011 NFL lockout. After being released due to injury, Morgan played Arena football (2012) before signing back with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014.
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