Goldsboro's Morgan resigns

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on June 29, 2008 2:02 AM

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Goldsboro High School officials are searching for a new boys' basketball coach.

Tod Morgan officially resigned Saturday afternoon, four days after reportedly accepting the same position at Chapel Hill High School.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity I was given while I was here," said Morgan. "I'm thankful for the hard work the guys put in for me. I have nothing but appreciation and good things to say for the booster club, the other coaches I worked with and the administration."

A North Carolina graduate, Morgan inherits a Tigers' squad that has compiled a 13-59 record during the past three seasons with coach Paul Kieckbusch. Chapel Hill finished 6-17 a year ago.

Despite the Tigers' recent disappointing seasons, Morgan is optimistic about the future of a program that boasts the son of current UNC assistant coach Steve Robinson. Former Tar Heels head coach Dean Smith has a grandson in junior high school in the Chapel Hill area who could possibly join the program in years to come.

"I know the Chapel Hill community is a basketball community," said Morgan. "I know the history and that they won state a championship back in the 80s. I think talent goes through cycles and recently the cycle has been a little down.

The talent pool seems to be a younger talent pool and I think there is a tremendous upside."

Having coached on the Class 4-A level in the past, the opportunity to return to the state's highest form of prep basketball was enticing for Morgan.

"When you've been on that level I think the challenge especially in that area is just challenging yourself to be the best you can be against quality coaches and players every night in a hotbed for basketball," said Morgan.

A formal meeting between Morgan and his new players at Chapel Hill along with their parents is scheduled for Monday evening.

Morgan, 39, spent just one season at Goldsboro after replacing Randy Jordan, who served for six seasons on the Cougars bench. Goldsboro posted a record of 17-12 with Morgan including a 6-4 mark in Eastern Plains 2-A Conference play.

The Cougars reached the finals of the EPC tournament before losing to Farmville Central on a halfcourt shot at the buzzer. The Cougars lost to state-ranked Graham in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs.

Morgan, who has amassed 123 career wins, got his first high school head coaching job at Ocracoke High School in 1994 before moving to Cape Hatteras the next season. His other stops include Greene Central and three years at New Bern before arriving at Goldsboro.

Keovanta McDuffie, the 2007-08 News-Argus All-Area Boys Player of the Year, is expected to return along with Demetrio Irby. McDuffie averaged 16.5 points and seven rebounds.

The Cougars lost seniors Aric Sinclair, a 6-foot-7 center; guard Tavon Murchison, forward Doshamora Simms, Anthony Council, Iveon Sprangle and in-county transfer Leonard Compton to graduation.