[4/16/04]The dean of Warren County high school football coaches is retiring today, ending a 36-year relationship with Warren Central.

Robert Morgan, the Vikings’ head football coach for 19 years, called a team meeting Thursday afternoon, making his winning team among the first to know he was ending his teaching and coaching career at WC.

“This is a shock to me,” Vicksburg High coach Alonzo Stevens said. “It’s going to be so different now. He was such a fixture over there. He’s like the Eddie Robinson, Joe Paterno and Bear Bryant of Mississippi football.”

Vicksburg Warren School District superintendent Dr. James Price said Morgan will be missed. “He has touched the lives of a lot of young men over the last 35 years.”

Several attempts to reach Morgan Thursday night and this morning were unsuccessful.

Price said an interim head coach will be named during next week’s school board meeting. The Vikings’ spring practice begins April 26.

Athletic director Lum Wright Jr. said a search committee will be formed to find a full-time replacement.

“We are going to get together and meet, and (WC principal Mack) Douglas will have a lot to say as far as what direction he wants to go,” Wright said. “It’s just a matter of deciding what route to take. Our time frame is cut very short with spring practice starting in a couple of weeks.”

The last time the Vikings had to look for a coach was after the departure of Lum Wright Sr., in 1984. Morgan, 59 and an assistant coach beginning in 1968, moved into the head-coach spot in 1985.

His stretch included a state-record 19 straight playoff appearances and a pair of state championships in 1988 and 1994.

Morgan has coached more than 1,000 players since taking over in 1985, including his three sons. Rob, Josh and Brett Morgan all graduated from WC and played football at Mississippi State.

“When you hear people talk about WC being the home of champions, Robert Morgan is the champion in that saying,” Douglas said. “He cares for these kids, and he loved what he did. Even outside this county, when you mention Warren Central, one of the first things you’ll hear is, How about Robert Morgan?'”

In his 19 years, he has guided the Vikings to 168 wins and 71 losses. The Vikings have played in more playoff games than any other Class 5A team in the state. Last year, the team won the region championship with a win over rival Vicksburg High in the final week of the season.

Morgan grew up in Sturgis, a town 10 miles west of Starkville, and still has family living in that area.

“He so richly deserves this opportunity to spend time with his family,” said Price, who worked with Morgan’s wife, Cathy, for the district before Cathy’s retirement three years ago due to health problems. “There’s no finer representation of family values than the Morgans.”

Wright visited with Morgan on Thursday, but said the coach gave no clear indication of his plans.

“I asked him if it was still turkey season, and he just kind of smiled at me,” Wright said, adding he was also unsure if Morgan planned a return to coaching in the future. “I think Coach will have a lot of things to do at home … He’s going to have to make that decision. When you’re retiring, sometimes you’re ready to go home.”