Hall of Fame
Darrell Morris served as head football coach between 2000-14 after being an assistant for 13 seasons. The Tampa native was part of the transition from Kearney State to UNK, the NAIA to NCAA Division II, independent status to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and the RMAC to the MIAA.
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He is one of three Loper head football coaches to reach 100 career wins, posting a record of 101-63 (61.5 win pct.). Morris led UNK to four outright or shared RMAC titles (2002, 2005, 2009 and 2010), four playoff appearances (2002, 2005, 2009 and 2011) and two double digit winning seasons (2009 and 2011). The 2002 playoff trip was the Lopers first postseason game in 25 years, the 2009 win over Saginaw Valley (Mich.) State marked UNK's first-ever D2 playoff victory with the 2009 team winning a school-record 11 games.
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Having coached numerous players that went on to play professionally, Morris also coached 18 All-Americans including seven Harlon Hill Trophy candidates. That group featured national record setters Justin Coleman (QB) and Richie Ross (WR). Working directly with the offensive line, Morris also coached the 2002 D2 Rimington Award (top center) winner in Jack Hiett.
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A 2022 Nebraska Football Hall of Fame inductee, Morris lives in Kearney with his wife, Darla. He recently retired from Nutrien Ag Solutions.
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