Former Warren Central football coach Robert Morgan stands in the bleachers at Viking Stadium. Morgan, who coached at WC for 36 years and led the Vikings to state championships in 1988 and 1994, will be inducted to the Mississippi Association of Coaches hall of fame Friday night in Jackson. (Brian LodenThe Vicksburg Post)

[7/8/04]In 1968, a young Robert Morgan strolled quietly through the hallways at Warren Central and marveled at what he saw.

One of the 3-year-old school’s buildings still was under construction, and the paint on the walls was fresh enough to smell. There was another scent in the air, too. It was the smell of anticipation, opportunity and impending glory.

Over the next 3 1/2 decades, Morgan helped turn Warren Central into a football powerhouse. He worked his way through the ranks to become head coach in 1985 and guided the Vikings to two state championships, 168 wins and 10 region titles over the next 19 seasons.

And then, just as quietly as he had walked into WC that first day 36 years earlier, he slipped out the door and into retirement, with a brief detour at the hall of fame.

Morgan, who led WC to state titles in 1988 and 1994, and into the playoffs a record 19 straight seasons, will be inducted to the Mississippi Association of Coaches’ Hall of Fame Friday night in Jackson. He is the third Warren County coach to be elected to the MAC hall of fame, joining WC predecessor Lum Wright and former WC athletic director Charlie Peets.

“It’s not a goal that you have. It’s never been a goal of mine to be in the hall of fame. When I was nominated, it was a total surprise, and when I was selected it was even more surprising,” Morgan said. “I accept the honor, but I accept it on behalf of my assistant coaches, the administrators and all of the players and parents. I don’t want anybody to get the idea it’s all about me.”

It never has been.

As part of a family that included 11 children, Morgan learned the value of teamwork at an early age. He played football at now-defunct Sturgis High, and was a safety for legendary coach Bull Sullivan at East Mississippi Junior College.

Morgan had nine interceptions in one season at East Mississippi, but his future was in coaching football, not playing it.

After two years of school at Mississippi State, he had job offers from seven different high schools around the state. He actually accepted one of them, but changed his mind after visiting Warren Central.

“You could tell something was going on and fixing to happen, and I wanted to be a part of it,” Morgan said.

He started as an eighth-grade coach at WC and worked his way through the ranks over the next 17 years. Finally, when Wright resigned in 1984, Morgan got his chance to take the next step and become a head coach.

The Vikings enjoyed immediate success under Morgan they went 29-8 in his first three seasons and made the playoffs each year but the coach endured some growing pains as he adjusted to the new job.