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BALTIMORE, Md. June 10, 2022 ? Morgan State University announced Damon Wilson as the Bears' new head coach during his introductory press conference on Friday.
"The best indicator of future success is past success," Morgan State president David K. Wilson said during the introductory press conference in reference to what criteria would be at the forefront of the school's search. "We did not want to go through a period of experimentation. We have in our football coach a winner … a proven winner."
Wilson, the 23rd coach in school history, comes to Morgan after serving for 13 seasons as the head football coach at Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland. There, he achieved three straight Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference championships, in 2021, 2019 and 2018; five NCAA playoff berths; and three CIAA Coach of the Year honors.
"It's the right time... We have what we need... We're going to bring the football program up to the standards of the academic program [at Morgan State]," Wilson said during his introductory press conference.
"Morgan has a rich history from an academic standpoint, as well as football," he said. "Athletically they have had a lot of great years and I want to bring that back."
Morgan State finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 2-9, 1-4 in MEAC play, including a home victory against Delaware State in an ESPN nationally-televised contest.
The Bears will take on Norfolk State for Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 8 to open MEAC action.
The 2022 edition of Morgan State's football program will begin when the Bears travel to face Georgia Southern on Saturday, Sept. 3. The Bears' home opener will be on Saturday, Sept. 17, when they host Sacred Heart at Hughes Stadium.
"I know that pressure is on us," Director of Athletics Dena Freeman-Patton said. "(Wilson) meets all of those criteria, a proven winner. And that's what we need. He also can build a program."
Freeman-Patton, the newly minted Morgan State athletic director, had been reminded of what Morgan State once was and could be again with the right person at the helm.
"I'm extremely excited," Wilson said. "I can't sleep at night just putting pieces together because the guys I've met so far, they've been outstanding."
His accolades include American Football Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year (2021), Bowie State University Coach of the Year (2019, 2018, 2015, 2009) and CIAA Northern Division Champion (2021, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2009). He also assisted in fundraising for the building of a new, $1.1-million synthetic football field in 2010.
Before assuming his most recent head coaching role, Wilson served as assistant head coach/running backs coach at Prairie View A&M University and as running backs coach/special teams coordinator for Texas Southern University. His coaching background also includes two previous stops at Bowie State University: as strength and conditioning/running backs coach and special teams coordinator (2007–08) and as associate head/running backs coach and special teams coordinator (1999–2004).