LaMar Morgan - Def. Pass Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

LaMar Morgan

Title:
Def. Pass Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs

LaMar Morgan is in his second season as Michigan's Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs coach after being named to the position on March 5, 2024. He is in his 14th year of coaching in 2025.

In his first year with the Wolverines in 2024, Morgan oversaw a unit that kept 10-of-13 teams under 260 passing yards as part of a No. 10 ranking in total defense. Cornerback Will Johnson was named a second-team All-American and second-team All-Big Ten honoree following a season with five pass breakups and two pick-sixes in just six games of action. Overall, defensive backs totaled 11 interceptions and 48 pass breakups.

Under Morgan, five different players set career-highs in tackles (Quinten Johnson, Makari Paige, Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill, Brandyn Hillman) as part of a secondary that saw seven different players earn starting assignments. Four of those five also set career-highs in pass breakups, and three of those set new career-best interception marks.

Morgan came to Ann Arbor from the University of Louisiana program, where he spent two seasons (2022-23) as defensive coordinator and secondary coach. It was Morgan's second stint with UL after he served as the program's cornerbacks coach in 2019 and 2020.

Morgan took part in the inaugural AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute in 2018. The year before, he participated in the NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy. He also attended the NCAA Future Football Coaches Academy in 2013 at the onset of his career.

In all four seasons with Morgan on staff, the Ragin' Cajun secondary reached double-digit interceptions (10, 16, 15, 13). The unit ranked third nationally in 2020, and top-25 across the 2022-23 seasons. The defense improved its national ranks from 55th in passing yards allowed, 110th in pass efficiency defense, 105th in scoring, and 97th in total defense before Morgan's arrival to sixth, second, 31st, and 33rd across those four categories by the end of 2020.

Throughout his time at the University of Louisiana, Morgan helped 11 players (six defensive backs) achieve 13 all-league seasons including four first-team accolades. He worked with and helped develop three players that signed free agent contracts: Michael Jacquet and Mekhi Garner (Philadelphia Eagles) and Eric Garror (Tennessee Titans).

In between his stints at UL, Morgan spent one year as cornerbacks coach at Vanderbilt (2021), returning to the school where he began as a graduate assistant. The Commodores improved from six interceptions across 2019 and 2020 combined to 13 interceptions (33rd, NCAA) in 2021 and had a top-30 red zone defense. Morgan helped develop Allen George, a player who signed a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Morgan coached safeties for three seasons, first at Louisiana Monroe (2016-17) and then at Houston (2018). At ULM, the defense was 16th nationally in passing yards allowed in 2016 and 20th in interceptions in 2017 and Morgan's safeties were among the team's leading tacklers at both stops.

His first full-time job came at Western Carolina as secondary coach for the 2014-15 campaigns. The Catamounts were fifth in the FCS in pass defense with 11 interceptions in 2014, the team's most in five years. Defensive back Trey Morgan was a two-time All-Southern Conference selection and posted a league-leading six interceptions in 2014. Ace Clark was a first-team pick that year as well, one of four all-SoCon players Morgan mentored.

Morgan began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for two seasons at Vanderbilt (2012-13). He worked with the sam linebackers and nickels while the team posted consecutive 9-4 records and appeared in two bowl games. In 2012, the Commodores finished 19th nationally in total defense, 15th in scoring defense, 14th in passing defense, 13th in interceptions, and sixth in pass efficiency defense. The following year in 2013, the unit was 23rd in total defense, passing defense and pass efficiency defense, and 13th in interceptions. Cornerback Andre Hall was named All-SEC second team in both seasons with safety Kenny Ladler picking up first-team honors in 2013.

Morgan played four years as a safety in the ULL program (2003, '05-'07), appearing in 40 games. Off the field, he was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (then the Draddy Trophy) and a five-time Sun Belt Conference Honor Roll honoree. Twice he was named to the Sun Belt Commissioner's List.

Morgan and his wife, Jazen, have four children: daughter Kroix, twins Krue (son) and Kalais (daughter), and son Kross.

THE MORGAN FILE
Full Name: LaMar Morgan
Birthdate: March 7, 1985
Hometown: Copperas Cove, Texas
High School: Copperas Cove
Bachelor's Degree: Louisiana Lafayette (2007, business administration)
Master's Degrees: Texas A&M University-Commerce (business administration, 2011); Texas A&M University-Commerce (educational administration and leadership, 2012); Vanderbilt (liberal arts and science, 2023)
Wife: Jazen
Kids: daughters Kroix, Kalais, Kross; son Krue (twin of Kalais)

COACHING EXPERIENCE

Year	School	Position
2012	Vanderbilt	Graduate Assistant (Secondary)
2013	Vanderbilt	Graduate Assistant (Star/Nickel)
2014-15	Western Carolina	Secondary
2016-17	Louisiana Monroe	Safeties
2018	Houston	Safeties
2019-20	Louisiana Lafayette	Cornerbacks
2021	Vanderbilt	Cornerbacks
2022-23	Louisiana Lafayette	Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
2024-	Michigan	Def. Pass Game Coordinator/Secondary