Iowa Football’s Reese Morgan to Retire

We were treated to an unusual bombshell this Wednesday afternoon:

That’s right, Reese Morgan, a coach who’s been with Iowa longer than many current freshmen have been alive, is retiring from football.

Morgan, 68, coached Iowa’s defensive line for the past seven seasons. He previously coached Iowa’s offensive line from 2003-11 after serving as a recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach from 2000-02.

Morgan came to the Hawkeye program as royalty in the realm of Iowa high school football. He was the head coach at Iowa City West from 1994-99, when his team amassed a 62-7 record to go along with state titles in ‘95, ‘98, and ‘99. He has 146 victories at the prep level, and is a member of the Iowa High School Coach’s Hall of Fame.

While Morgan is a coach who’s instrumental to the Iowa Way, his absence could have a profound effect on recruiting. Under Morgan’s watch, Iowa has boasted two Outland Trophy winners (Robert Gallery and Brandon Scherff) and a John Mackey award recipient in Dallas Clark. Four of his players have been named Big Ten Player of the Year at their position and three have earned consensus All-America honors.

From the University:

Seven players coached by Morgan have earned first- or second-team all-America recognition. Nine earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and 14 were named second-team All-Big Ten. Thirteen of Morgan’s players have been selected in the NFL Draft, including five first-round selections. Three have gone on to earn NFL All-Pro recognition.

Kelvin Bell is expected to assume duties along the defensive line while Iowa decides how to fill this hole on its coaching staff. In the meantime...