Michael Morgan has been hired as an assistant women’s basketball coach at East Mississippi Community College, as announced this week by EMCC head women’s basketball coach Sharon Thompson.  Morgan’s hiring has been approved by EMCC President Dr. Rick Young and EMCC Vice President/Director of Athletics Mickey Stokes.

    Morgan arrives on the Scooba campus after having spent last season as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Saint Joseph’s College, an NCAA Division II program headquartered in Rensselaer, Ind.  While serving as the Pumas’ recruiting coordinator, he also had scouting responsibilities of the team’s opponents as well as with the day-to-day development of SJC’s post and perimeter players.

    “I am extremely excited about bringing Coach “Red” (Morgan) into our women’s basketball program here at EMCC,” Thompson said.  “His character, tireless work ethic and compassion will be key assets in our recruiting efforts as well as with the day-to-day development of our student-athletes.”

    Prior to entering the collegiate coaching ranks, Morgan acquired head coaching experience at a pair of Christian schools in his home state of Florida.  While completing coursework for his bachelor’s degree in biblical studies with an emphasis in youth from Trinity College of Florida, Morgan spent two seasons serving as the head girls’ basketball coach at Tampa-based Oldsmar Christian School before taking on identical head coaching duties for a season at Faith Baptist Christian School in Brandon.

    During his one season at FBCS, Morgan guided the 2011-12 Lady Eagles to a 48-8 record and a runner-up finish in the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association.  As he did previously at Oldsmar, Morgan also served as the program’s fundraising coordinator in creating a $30,000 budget for season expenses.  Prior to that, Morgan inherited a struggling women’s hoops program at Oldsmar Christian School and promptly directed the Lady Eagles to a two-year composite record of 37-16.  He also assisted the boys’ basketball program while at Oldsmar.

    Morgan’s circuitous basketball playing career landed him at Trinity College of Florida, a New Port Richey-based school affiliated with the National Christian College Athletic Association, in 2007.  After playing his freshman season at North Carolina A&T University and transferring to North Carolina Wesleyan College for his sophomore year, Morgan ended up at Trinity College of Florida following a two-year leave from college activity.  His return to the basketball court was met with individual success, as the 6-foot-5 Morgan claimed 2007-08 All-South Region First Team honors.  While also finishing as runner-up in the South Region’s Player of the Year voting, Morgan ranked among the NCCAA Division II national leaders in several statistical categories as a junior.  The two-time team captain for the Tigers capped his collegiate career by earning honorable mention all-region laurels as a senior in 2008-09.

    Upon graduating from Eastern Wayne High School in Goldsboro, N.C., in 2001, Morgan spent two years serving in the United States Air Force.  While dividing his enlistment time between Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas and Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina, he managed to find time to lead his respective base league teams in scoring.  Morgan spent his early prep years at Walter L. Sickles High School in Tampa.