Baseball | 6/25/2025 3:12:00 PM
NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State Vice President and Director of Athletics Melody Webb announced the hiring of Merrill “M.L.” Morgan as the sixth head coach of the NSU baseball program on Wednesday afternoon.
A dedicated leader with an abundance of coaching experience across the collegiate and professional levels, Morgan has helped several programs and organizations achieve historic success. He has compiled an overall record of 254-117 (.685) as a member of multiple coaching staffs, winning four regular season titles and one conference tournament championship.
“I am excited to welcome Coach Morgan and his family to Norfolk,” Webb said. “He has contributed to winning campaigns throughout every stop in his decorated career. With an exceptional ability to identify talent and develop student-athletes, I am confident that he will build a tremendous program here at NSU.”
Morgan spent three seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University, to begin his professional journey. During his tenure, VCU won the 2015 Atlantic 10 Tournament and the 2017 regular season conference title.
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be named the next head baseball coach at Norfolk State University,” Morgan said. “I want to thank Dr. Webb, Dr. Cochran, and the rest of the administration for entrusting me to lead this program. This is truly a special opportunity to serve a program with such a rich tradition of success. I’m eager to get to work to foster an environment where student-athletes can excel on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.”
Morgan helped VCU earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament with a dominant run in the 2015 Atlantic 10 Tournament, defeating Rhode Island in back-to-back games to secure the title. Spanning from the final stretch of the regular season to the postseason, the Rams accumulated 13 consecutive wins.
VCU took down nationally ranked Dallas Baptist and Oklahoma State in the NCAA Regional, advancing to a Super Regional for the first time in program history. The Rams became just the fifth #4 seed ever to win a regional.
VCU won at least 35 games in every season Morgan spent with the Rams, earning a spot in the national rankings in 2014 and 2015.
Morgan spent three years as an assistant coach – including one as associate head coach – at Randolph Macon College, propelling the Yellow Jackets to a tremendous stretch atop their conference. He helped the Yellow Jackets post a 15-1 record in 2020, the best start in program history, before the season was halted due to COVID-19.
That season, Randolph Macon was ranked No. 1 in the Perfect Game poll and No. 2 in the D3baseball.com/NCBWA Top 25.
Randolph Macon topped fourth-seeded Christopher Newport to wins its first NCAA Regional title in 2018, advancing to the Division III College World Series for the first time in program history.
Across his entire coaching career, Morgan has mentored and developed two conference Player of the Years and two conference Pitcher of the Years while leading 17 players to sign professional contracts – with four making it to the MLB.
Most recently, Morgan has served as the Mid-Atlantic area scout supervisor for the MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays since 2021. In that capacity, he evaluated prospects through both video and in-person visits, assessing their makeup and readiness for professional baseball while building a scouting network through extensive relationships with coaches, players, and parents.
During Morgan’s time with the organization, the Rays made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons – winning the AL East title in 2021. Tampa Bay produced 99 wins in 2023 – the most in franchise history.
As a player at VCU, Morgan was a part of two conference championships and two NCAA regional appearances. A reliable defensive asset in the outfield, he posted a .984 fielding percentage during his senior season.
Morgan earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from VCU in 2010, and his Master of Education in Sports Leadership from VCU in 2014.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT M.L. MORGAN
Shawn Stiffler – Head Coach – Notre Dame
“ML is a fantastic hire for NSU. There is no one who will pour more into developing these young men than ML. He will create an environment of winning that will be student-athlete focused! No doubt we will see NSU competing for championships soon!”
Edwin Thompson – Head Coach – Georgetown
“ML Morgan is the right person to lead Norfolk State Baseball in the next chapter. He is a connector of people and his ability to develop genuine relationships is something that will serve him well. I have known ML for many years – the thing that stands out about him is his passion and knowledge for the game along with his ability to teach that to players. The future is bright for Spartan baseball.”
Chuck Ricci – Scouting Director – Tampa Bay Rays
“The Norfolk State Baseball team and University made the perfect hire in naming ML Morgan to be their next head coach. He will not just lead players on the field but more importantly he will instill values that will help them be successful in life after baseball. His character, work ethic and passion for the game is unmatched. ML was a core member of our scouting staff and made an enormous impact during the time he was in the organization. Although he will be missed, the Rays are excited for ML and this opportunity as I cannot think of a better person to lead the program and take them to new heights.”
Ray Hedrick – Head Coach – Randolph Macon College
“ML is a well-respected baseball mind throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic. He is a tireless recruiter who has proven his ability to recognize the skill set it takes to achieve on the field success at the highest level. Above all else, ML values relationships and the overall development of young men far beyond the baseball field. He is a transformational leader.”
