Coach Morris delivers the word…
First of all, allow me to put this story in perspective. It goes without saying, if you’re a high school football fan, or for that matter, a football fan in general, and most specifically, a Western Pa. football fan, you know all about the Penn Hills High School Big Red Machine football program.
It’s important that you know this long-overdue story not only speaks to the history of the Penn Hills program, but the stability of the program both on and off the field. The tradition is well-known and the end results are not only regionally, but nationally recognized.
The evidence and the recognition are easily recounted when the names of the legends who ran “Those Hills” (oh man, those hills in Penn Hills…wow!) are “Brought To Bear.” Hubie Bryant, Bill Fralic, Aaron Donald, Tom Flynn, Dwayne Rideout, Dan Mason, Greg Botta, Larry “Big Splash” Johnson, Tom Tumulty, Barry Church, Daequan Hardy, Anthony Morelli, Ron Graham, Jr., Jake Schifino, and Dante Cephas, just to name a few, and trust me, the list is quite extensive! (Right now is when all you City League guys reading this article can stop hating and read on…just read on!)
Clearly and without question all the aforementioned most likely would not have reached their legendary status without superior coaching by a qualified staff and a dynamic head coach who ties it all together both on and off the field. Men like Charles “Ace” Heberling, Neil Gordon, Jon LeDonne, and Andy Urbanic…speaking of whom, when I hear his name, I still try to find a wall to run through!
Needless to say, the talent has to be there. Commitment, hard work, sacrifice, trust and buying into the program. But you have to have that man…that head coach who changes the culture and takes the program to the next level.
The continuance of that championship spirit is maintained through the leadership, guidance, discipline and love for the game and for his players by Coach Charles Morris. “The kids are good. They simply need people to believe in them. After that, God makes it all good.” “It’s important to note, we don’t overly concern ourselves with NIL, certainly we’re fully aware of it and open to all of its possibilities. But we don’t base our objectives on it. We count on the great support of the parents, volunteers, the team spirit of the spectators and supporters, and the non-stop efforts of people such as Daina Hunter and many others. My efforts are to be positive, keep growing, and evolve the program.”
Today’s Big Red Machine is propelled by Coach Morris. Now in his fifth year as head coach, he brings 20-plus years of stellar football coaching expertise to the table, including time spent with former legendary Gateway player and coach Terry Smith, who now anchors the mighty Penn State Nittany Lions as their Associate Head Coach.
Coach Morris is a former gridiron great at Penn Hills, 2002-2004, and was an All-PSAC standout corner and D-back at Edinboro University. That plus his All-Conference and second-team All-State recognition at EU speak loudly to his potential PHHS Hall of Fame induction. The only thing standing in the way of that recognition would be his humility!
With his roots in the city…(oh, OK, now you City League dudes are back on board) Coach Morris was raised by his super strong mom, Mrs. Tracy Benson, who was a standout athlete at Carrick High School in track, volleyball and basketball. She is his #1 fan and supports him 100 percent. You know, Moms always get the praise and the glory, but we don’t want to forget dad, Charles Morris and stepdad, William Benson for their continued support.
The accomplishments both on and off the field don’t come without the necessary tools in the box to work with. With a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education and a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Duquesne University, Coach Morris is fully equipped to develop the “culture” I spoke of earlier. Most notably; to help change behavior, help improve grades, improve and increase the talent level, and encourage alumni to revisit the Big Red program through presence, support and participation!
To that point…and in full disclosure, I am a proud former Penn Hills player, Class of 1970 and, as noted, played for Coach Urbanic. I was fortunate and privileged to have been inducted to the Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame. So I’ve been around, and I’ve seen a lot… and in my opinion, none finer than that demonstrated under Coach Morris.
That which has been achieved is not only the result of outstanding talent, but the old school sense of hard work, commitment and sacrifice that coaches require of their players. With permission of Coach Morris, I want to shout out to all PHHS football alumni. Come back to the program, help support, be a part of the solution, and most importantly, don’t forget where you came from and how you got there!!! (And for you very few alumni who are just a little slow in reading the game plan…yes, that means bring your checkbook. C’mon man!)
Speaking of the game plan, the coach has a clear one for his talented and exceptional coaching staff. #1. Help them reach their dreams. #2. Be honest with them. #3. Be consistent. #4 Remember you get out what you put in. #5. Last and most importantly, show them the love!
Those efforts, much easier said than done, are made more than doable when you tout quite possibly the best coaching staff in Western Pa. and the WPIAL. Including Charles Bradley, Asst. Coach and O.C.—coaches QBs—Teacher at Dilworth Elem.; Gary Nolen, Asst. Coach and O.C.—coaches receivers; Conner Hillam—coaches Off.-Line—Wm & Mary —Miami Dolphins; Corey Jones—coaches Special Teams—University of Toledo; Terry Blakeman—coaches running backs—Slippery Rock University; Dan Mason—coaches linebackers—University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Lavaughn Wesley—Def. Coach—Edinboro University—Ph.D., Duquesne University—Principal at Winchester Thurston H.S.; Treyvon Hester—coaches Def.-Line—University of Toledo—Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills; Joe Rash—coaches Def. Ends—University of Akron; Derrick Lane—Def. Asst. Coach—West Lincoln College (Missouri); Kevin McCoy—IUP—Equipment Manager.
That’s the story and I am proud to tell it. As a man, Charles Morris is at the top of my list. As a coach, he possesses all the talent to “Achieve Greatness” on and off the field, most especially in the classroom. As a community leader he is so respected he was awarded the Willie Stargell Pittsburgh MVP Award (Most Valuable Person). And as a humanitarian…trust me, a lot of people talk the talk and don’t walk the walk. But in my 50 years of dedicated community service, Coach Morris is on my starting team anywhere, anytime! (Special note, to get on board, contact cmorris@phsd.org)
