Norfolk State University has named Merrill “M.L.” Morgan as its new head baseball coach, the school announced last week. 

Morgan becomes the sixth head coach in program history, bringing a wealth of experience at the collegiate and professional levels. He most recently served as the Mid-Atlantic area scouting supervisor for the Tampa Bay Rays.

  

“He has contributed to winning campaigns at every stop in his decorated career. With his ability to identify and develop talent, I’m confident he will build a tremendous program here at NSU,” said NSU vice president and director of athletics Melody Webb.

Morgan holds an overall coaching record of 254-117 and has been part of four regular-season championship teams and one conference tournament title. A VCU alumnus, Morgan began his coaching career as an assistant with the Rams, helping the team win the 2015 Atlantic 10 Tournament and the 2017 regular-season title.

He also coached at Randolph-Macon College, where he served as an assistant and associate head coach during a stretch that included the Yellow Jackets’ first NCAA Regional title and a trip to the Division III College World Series in 2018. Randolph-Macon began the 2020 season 15-1 before it was cut short by the pandemic and earned national No. 1 and No. 2 rankings in separate polls.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be named the next head baseball coach at Norfolk State University,” Morgan said. “This is truly a special opportunity to serve a program with such a rich tradition of success. I’m eager to foster an environment where student-athletes can excel on the field, in the classroom and in the community.”

Ray Hedrick, head coach at Randolph-Macon, praised Morgan’s impact both on and off the field.

“M.L. is a well-respected baseball mind throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic,” Hedrick said. “Above all else, M.L. values relationships and the overall development of young men far beyond the baseball field. He is a transformational leader.”

Morgan played at VCU, where he helped lead the Rams to two conference championships and NCAA regional appearances. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2010 and a master’s in sports leadership in 2014, both from VCU.

He will take over a Norfolk State program that has made two NCAA Tournament appearances and captured the MEAC championship in 2021.