The Bears winning their homecoming game last Saturday, marks the 100th career victory for Coach Damon Wilson who was awarded the game ball by Morgan State University’s President David Wilson.
“It feels great to have the opportunity to play in front of your home crowd…I’m glad we put on a pretty good show,” said Coach Wilson.
Wilson has been coaching for 25- years but has been a head coach for 15 years, starting with being Bowie state University’s head coach from 2009-2021.
Wilson has won three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships with the Bulldogs during his time being a head coach and is a three-time CIAA coach of the year.
In June of 2022, Wilson was named the 23rd head coach at Morgan State. In his first season the Bears earned 11 All MEAC honors and a freshman All-American recognition.
“The experience that Bowie had, prepared me for the opportunity to deal with more people…more responsibilities and more full time coaches as well as taking advantage of all the resources here at Morgan state,” said Wilson.
As a head coach moves so does his staff at the moment coach Wilson brought over five coaches from Bowie to remain on his staff. Those five include running back’s coach David Fant Jr., defensive coordinator Antone Sewell, pass game coordinator Tyrae Reid, offensive line coach Richard Reddix, and safeties coach Melvin Coleman.
“I know what those guys are, what they stand for and what they are all about. I understand they are good teachers and good coaches. And give them the opportunity to move up with me because these guys have the ability to develop talent,” said Wilson.
Fant and Wilson are fraternity brothers and have been coaching with each other since 2014.
“I’ve known Coach Wilson for a while, we were first off fraternity brothers… But now clearly we are dealing with a bigger range of athletes and we get to recruit a wider range of athletes, our schedules have changed and I was part time but now I’m full time,” said Fant.
Fant began his career being the tight ends coach for the Bulldogs. Under his leadership, he was able to produce 2 CIAA 1st team All-Conference tight ends.
“In the coaching industry we started working together in 2014, which gave me the first opportunity to coach the tight ends and I’ve been with him ever since,” said Fant.
Coach Richard Reddix, Morgan’s offensive line coach and Wilson met in 1997 while both of them were attending Bowie state. Both coaches are more than just coworkers as their relationship has gone far beyond the field.
“We’re pretty close, we watched our kids grow up together, I know his wife, his kids know my family…he’s an easy guy to work for, he’s not a dictator, he only expects you to do your job,” said Reddix.
Since being awarded the Morgan job, Wilson has brought over many players he’s coached at Bowie via the transfer portal. Two of those players are redshirt junior defensive back Jadon Carter and graduate defensive lineman Joe Murray.
“When I got to Bowie I was a freshman…He cares about his players, he puts his players first… he cares about how you leave college and want to have an impact on your life,” said Carter.
Murray said he put his trust in his coach to lead him to his full potential. He continues to give Wilson his respect for recruiting him and for the adjustments he made coming to Morgan.
“He learned how to address players and handle what needs to be handled… He was the most sincere coach that I talked to, the tone behind his words just told me I could trust him, I love coach Wilson he took me in when I didn’t have much to go off of… I trust him with my life,” said Murray.
Coach Wilson is on pace to have his best season at Morgan with the Bears having a (3-3) record so far this season. He and his coaches look forward to the success from this team going forward.
“It’s a good feeling, because we know what we are pushing to get to, and we know that we were a couple steps away. We got to push these guys over the hump so they can feel it, see it and understand what it is like to be on the winning side of it,” said Reddix.
Coach Wilson is looking forward to getting win 101 this week. Him and his team are preparing for their next upcoming challenge and want to continue to improve and succeed.
“We understand we have a very tough challenge this week, Merrimack is a very good football team and our last 6 opponents are very good.” said Wilson. “Guys responded well this week coming off of a homecoming victory and Saturday will be here, we’ll see which team is ready at 3.”
The Morgan State Bears face off against the (1-4) Merrimack Warriors home at the Hughes Stadium on October 12th at 3 p.m.
