Being a high school teacher and coach came later in life for Chuck Morgan than it did for most of his colleagues, but the profession became a great and fulfilling part of his life.
Morgan began teaching and coaching at Lincoln East when he was 40, after several years in the Army and working other physical labor jobs.
“This is the profession I was supposed to be in, and the coaching has been that great bonus on top of that. I get to be with some of the most fantastic kids,†Morgan said.
After 25 years coaching at Lincoln East, including the last 16 as the head girls soccer coach, Morgan has made the decision to retire from coaching. He’ll continue to teach history and geography.
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Morgan had great success as a head coach, with his team making it to the state championship match each of his first three years as head coach, including a perfect 17-0 record in his first year in 2004. The championship match was played at Seacrest Field that season, a short walk from East High School. Morgan has a piece of the old turf from Seacest Field framed and hanging in his garage.
Then in 2005, East won the first state championship played at Morrison Stadium in Omaha, and the Spartans made the finals again in 2006.
It was a great time for soccer at Lincoln East, with the boys and girls teams each winning state titles in 2005.
“We were both just tearing it up there,†Morgan said.
East qualified for the state tournament in seven of Morgan’s first 10 years as head coach.
Then in his final year, Morgan got another special season. This year, East beat Millard North in a shootout in the district championship to get back to state for the first time in four years, with Morgan running across the field to celebrate with the players after East won. Morgan thought this would be a rebuilding year because East had 11 seniors the previous year.
East made it all the way to the state semifinals, and finished with a 14-4 record. Morgan’s career record is 201-80.
Morgan, 64, grew up when soccer wasn’t as popular in the United States. But his dad was in the military and Morgan spent about 12 years in Germany while growing up and played soccer there.
When Morgan became a dad, he coached his children’s soccer teams, because not many parents knew a lot about the sport.
Morgan knew this would be his last season coaching, but didn’t tell the players until Wednesday. He wants more time to travel with his wife, and visit his grandchildren.
“I think I’ve accomplished everything I set out to do as a head coach,†Morgan said.
It was interesting how his life went, Morgan said, from a rough Army paratrooper to coaching girls soccer.
“I used to pretend to be the gruff guy, but (the players) see through me,†Morgan said. “By sophomore year when I growl and bark at them, they just turn around and look at me and go, ‘Oh, Mo.’ Like, ‘Knock it off.’ They know.â€
Morgan was known for writing a letter to the players before each game during his 16 years as head coach. He’d share motivational quotes, military quotes and life lessons. At the end of each season, he'd also write a personal letter to each senior.
On Wednesday, Morgan wrote one last letter to the East players.
“This has been one of the greatest loves of my adult life,†Morgan wrote.