HBCU Transactions

Jacksonville, Florida-Edward Waters College Football took center stage at a press conference Friday (Apr 16) at the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Complex with the introduction of Toriano Morgan as its 15th head football coach and the release of its Fall 2021 schedule.

"I am thrilled to welcome Coach Morgan to our Tiger Family," remarked athletics director Dr. Paul A. Bryant. "He brings the collegiate experience that will be instrumental to our success in the football program."

Morgan brings over 17 years of coaching experience, spread amongst high school and collegiate institutions, to his new position at EWC. Under his purview, Morgan has coached 35 all-conference players and has been a part of sending 13 players to play in the National Football League. Morgan has been a perennial winner at every stop in his coaching career, bringing with him a streak of seven consecutive seasons with at least seven wins or more.Martin

A native of Fort Lauderdale, Morgan returns to his home state after spending two seasons as Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach at Virginia State University. In his first season at VSU in 2019, Morgan was an instrumental figure in the Trojans' 8-2 overall record and 6-1 mark in the CIAA, en route to a second place finish in the CIAA's Northern Division. Morgan's offense was ranked 4th in the CIAA in scoring, averaging 31.4 points per game, third in the league in total offense with a 382.2 yards per game average, and second in rushing yards with 228.4 yards per game.

Prior to joining the staff at Virginia State, Morgan was a highly decorated Head Coach at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, where he restored the perennial prep power to prominence, guiding them to a regional playoff appearance in his first season. Morgan's team compiled a 9-3 record which was his Alma Mater's best record in 15 years. Morgan was selected as the Head Coach of the Broward County Athletic Association All-Star Game and the Head Coach for the Public vs Private All-Star Game. Morgan was also selected as a finalist for the Tournament of Champions Coach of the Year.

Morgan served as the Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator at Virginia Union University for four seasons, from 2014-2017. Morgan is credited with directing a prolific offense at Virginia Union, which averaged over 400 yards and 34 pts per game during his stint. In 2014, the team finished 1st in total offense and 3rd in scoring offense in the CIAA, Morgan improved the Panthers' passing average from 69.9ypg in 2013 to 409.3ypg in 2014, which help propel the Panthers to a seven win season (7-3). Quarterback Kenny Graham finished 1st nationally in yards per completion averaging and 4th nationally in passing efficiency.

2021 Schedule

Morgan and the Tigers will tackle an 11-game slate in 2021 that features five home contests inside the new, on-campus Community Field & Stadium and six games on the road. The 2021 schedule also continues a scheduling agreement with the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), in which 10 of the 11 games on the schedule will be against SIAC competition.

Edward Waters will open the 2021 schedule inside of their new home stadium on Saturday, August 28th in a battle of North Florida vs. South Florida as the Tigers will welcome the Lions of Florida Memorial University.

After an open date on September 4th, the Tigers will hit the road for back-to-back games. EWC will head to Columbia, South Carolina on September 11th to face Benedict for the first meeting between the two teams since 2002. Edward Waters will then make the trek to the historic city of Tuskegee, Alabama for a battle with the Tuskegee Golden Tigers on September 18th. The Purple & Orange will return home on September 25th for a 6:00pm kickoff against the Lane College Dragons.

The month of October will open with another two-game road trip, starting on October 2nd in Atlanta, Georgia against the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College. On October 9th, The Tigers will head up I-75 to Albany, Georgia for a battle with the Golden Rams of Albany State. Three straight home games will close out the month for Edward Waters starting on October 16th against the Thorobreds of Kentucky State. The annual Homecoming contest is set for October 23rd as Edward Waters will welcome the Central State Marauders to the Community Field & Stadium. EWC will honor its senior class during the home finale on October 30th against the Golden Bears of Miles College.

November will put the Tigers on the road once again for the final two contests of the season. On November 6th, Edward Waters will make the two hour trek up I-95 to Theodore A. "Ted" Wright Stadium in Savannah to face the Tigers of Savannah State. 2021 in conclude for the second time in Columbia, S. C. as Edward Waters will face the Yellow Jackets of Allen University in the second edition of the AME Football Classic.

*Homecoming
^2nd AME Football Classic