Morgans stepping down at Marian

Marian football coach Pat Morgans will not return to the program next season, he said Friday.

The news comes a little more than a week after the Colts canceled their remaining two games due to low numbers.

“We finished the season with 16 kids healthy, and out of those 16 at the end of the year, 10 were freshmen and sophomores,” said Morgans. “I give all of those kids that stuck with the program, I give them a lot of credit, because they really persevered, and faced a lot of adversity this year. I give those kids a lot of credit and I’m very proud of those kids, and I thank those kids.

“I can’t say enough about those guys. The upperclassmen that stayed with it, they didn’t come off the field. Those last couple games, they were playing 48 minutes; they were on offense, defense and special teams, and they had had to be. A lot of those young kids got a lot of experience. At different times this year, we started six or seven different freshmen ... and three or four different sophomores. So they got a lot of time, so I think there is hope for the future. I want those kids to stick with it. They gained a lot of experience this year.”

Marian posted its only victory of the season in Week 8, a 9-8 triumph over Shenandoah Valley. The Colts finished the season 1-9 with forfeits in their final two games.

Morgans has led the program for the past three seasons.

Marian’s schedule will look a bit different next year with the merger of the Schuylkill and Colonial leagues, something he hopes will benefit the Colts going forward.

“I’m not goijng to say it gets any easier, because obviously there are very good teams on the schedule next year, but at least Marian will be playing teams in their class,” Morgans said. “So there’s a lot to look forward to.

“Those kids gained a lot of experience this year, and I give them a lot of credit for their perseverance. I told them that I want them to stick together and do great things. Some of those kids were switching positions to fill needs, and obviously you’re not getting that consistency working the same position over and over again. But those kids hung tough, and they came ready to play every week, and I give them a lot of credit.”

When asked for a comment, Marian Athletic Director Stan Dakosty said the school would release a statement on the coaching position in the next few days.

“I want to thank my coaches who also worked hard all the way to the end,” said Morgans. “They did a great job also.”