“After an open search with candidates from across the nation, we are pleased to have Karl Morgan as the newest football coach at Mississippi Valley State” said interim director of athletics Donald R. Sims.

“We now hope that Morgan can take the reins of the program and guide the Devils into this new decade.” A veteran of both high school and collegiate coaching, Morgan has spent the previous five seasons as the defensive coordinator at the University of North Alabama.

Morgan has 21 years of coaching experience including stints as defensive line coach at Nicholls State, Southern University, Purdue University and Arkansas State University.

He has also served as defensive coordinator at Alcorn State University, Hampton University and the University of North Alabama. At UNA, the team has amassed an 84-26 record and a NCAA Division II quarterfinalist in 2006, 2007 and 2009 in addition to being a NCAA Division II semifinalist in 2005 and 2008.

In 2008, his defensive unit forced 44 turnovers. He is a former defensive lineman with the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1984-86) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders (1983) of the Canadian Football League.

Over the last five seasons Morgan has helped lead UNA to a combined 55-10 record that includes a Gulf South Conference Championship and four NCAA playoff berths. With Morgan as defensive coordinator, the Lions have a plus 82 turnover margin in the 65 games he has coached at North Alabama.

Prior to coming to North Alabama, Morgan coached at Hampton (Va.) University and Alcorn State (Miss.) University. Morgan also spent four seasons as the defensive line coach at Arkansas State University.

Prior to his appointment with the Indians, he was the defensive line coach at Purdue University.