Assistant Coach
Defensive Coordinator/ Defensive Line

Veteran collegiate coach and former UCLA standout Karl Morgan enters his third season as the defensive coordinator at the University of North Alabama this fall.

Over the last two seasons Morgan has helped lead UNA to a combined 24-4 record that includes a Gulf South Conference Championship and two NCAA playoff berths.

In 2006 UNA was 11-1, won the GSC title and reached the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs. The Lion defense ranked ninth nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 13.8 points per game. Five Lion defenders earned All-GSC honors.

In 2005  Morgan's defense at UNA ranked among the NCAA Division II national leaders in every category and helped the Lions post an 11-3 record and reach the semifinals of the Division II playoffs.

The UNA defense recovered 20 fumbles and intercepted 21 passes as the Lions had a +19 turnover margin.  Four UNA defenders received All-Gulf South Conference honors following the season, with defensive back Blake Farris named to four All-America teams. Farris and defensive lineman Lee Vickers both signed with National Football League teams following the season.

Morgan filled the spot left open when Charles Anthony resigned as defensive coordinator following the 2003 season.  This season will mark the first time in six years that North Alabama will have the same defensive coordinator in back-to-back seasons.

Prior to coming to North Alabama, Morgan most recently coached at Hampton University (Va.) and Alcorn State University (Miss.). Morgan also spent four seasons as the defensive line coach at Arkansas State University. Prior to his appointment with the Indians, he was the defensive line coach at Purdue University.

Morgan got his start in coaching as the head football coach at Central Catholic High School in Morgan City, Louisiana from 1989 to 1992. He then entered the college ranks and served as the defensive line coach at Nicholls State University from 1993 to 1994.

During the 1995 season, Morgan was the defensive line coach at Southern University.  His defensive line was part of a unit that helped to lead the Jaguars to a 11-1 record en route to the Black College National Championship.

During his playing days, the Houma, Louisiana native was a noseguard at UCLA and was a four-year letterwinner with the Bruins. He was the defensive captain of the 1983 Rose Bowl championship team. During his career with the Bruins, Morgan recorded 35 tackles for loss and 17 quarterback sacks. He was a two-time recipient of the Henry R. "Red" Sanders Trophy for Most Valuable Defensive Player at UCLA.

Morgan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from UCLA in 1984.  Morgan played professional football with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League in 1983. He was also drafted by the Arizona Wranglers of the United States Football League.

He then played  with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League from 1984 to 1986 and also played with the Houston Oilers in 1986. In 1992 he played Arena football with the Cincinnati Rockers.

Recent UNA Defensive Coordinators

      2005-A   KARL MORGAN

      2004  Charles Anthony

      2003  Matt Wallerstedt

      2002  Gwaine Mathews

      2001  Bill Hyde

      1998-00     Steve Carter                 

      1992-97     Bill Hyde

      1988-91     Ikey Fowler

      1977-87     Bill Hyde

UNA's National Statistical Rankings under Morgan

Scoring Defense

      2005        18th  17.9

      2006        9th   13.8

Total Defense    

      2005        18th  289.6

Rushing Defense

      2005        15th  97.9

Pass Efficiency Defense

      2005        24th  101.8

Turnover Margin

      2005        9th   1.4

      2006        25th  0.7

Team Pass Sacks

      2006        19th  2.67

Turnovers Gained

      2006        42nd  24.0

MORGAN'S COACHING EXPERIENCE

Yrs   Position         

1989  Head Coach  Central Catholic (La.)

1990  Head Coach  Central Catholic (La.)

1991  Head Coach  Central Catholic (La.)

1992  Head Coach  Central Catholic (La.)

1993  Assistant Coach   Nicholls State

1994  Assistant Coach   Nicholls State     

1995  Assistant Coach   Southern University    

1996  Assistant Coach   Purdue     

1997  Assistant Coach   Arkansas State

1998  Assistant Coach   Arkansas State

1999  Assistant Coach   Arkansas State   

2000  Assistant Coach   Arkansas State   

2001  Def. Coordinator  Alcorn State       

2002  Def. Coordinator  Hampton University     

2003  Def. Coordinator  Hampton University     

2004  Def. Coordinator  Hampton University     

2005  Def. Coordinator  University of North Alabama

2006  Def. Coordinator  University of North Alabama