Tom Morgan

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Tom Morgan, deceased, of Wilkes-Barre played baseball, football and basketball in the late 1920’s at Coughlin. He then went to Villanova University on a baseball scholarship. But while at Villanova, Morgan excelled in baseball, football, and basketball – earning three letters in each sport. He captained the baseball and basketball teams in his senior year. A leg injury prevented the Villanova quarterback from pursuing a pro career. Morgan was also offered baseball contracts from the Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies, but had to turn them down because of the injury. Instead, Morgan turned to coaching. In 1931, he accepted a position as head track coach and assistant football coach at St. Cecila’s in Englewood, N.J. He then moved to Dwight Morrow High School, also in Englewood, and was named the head baseball coach and assistant football coach. His baseball team won titles in 1936, 1938 and 1940. After serving in the Army, Morgan returned to Dwight Morrow, and was named head football coach in 1942. He held that post until 1952, when he left to concentrate on coaching basketball. His basketball teams won the New Jersey state title in 1947, 1951 and 1960. The 1947 team also won the Eastern States championship. He retired from coaching in 1960 with a career record of 270-52. While coaching at Dwight Morrow, Morgan found time to play semi-pro baseball with several teams and was also a scout for the Detroit Tigers. He was selected to the Villanova Varsity Club’s Hall of Fame in 1979.