"The extensive experience, knowledge and passion Benny brings to the table for track and field was unparalleled in our coaching search," Griffin said. "For a new program, we need a strong leader and motivator, and we have landed just that with Benny. I'm confident our programs are in the right hands."
Morgan previously coached at Duke, where he served as a volunteer assistant coach for cross country and track and field from 2010-11. There he was responsible for training middle distances, long sprinters and the high jump.
"I am excited to be chosen as the first-ever track and field coach at Coker," Morgan said. "This is truly a blessing to reach this opportunity after 20 years in the sport. I have been fortunate with my coaching career to this point, and my goal is to bring that same excitement and success to the Coker programs."
Before coaching at Duke, Morgan was the director of men's and women's cross country and track and field at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, N.C., from 2007-10.
In addition, Morgan's experience includes serving as interim head men's and women's cross country and track and field coach at Winston-Salem State (2005-06), graduate assistant and recruiting coordinator at Campbell (2004-05) and head men's and women's cross country/men's head track and field/assistant women's track and field coach at Southeast Raleigh High School in Raleigh, N.C. (2000-04).
During his time at Campbell, Morgan led the men's track and field team to a runner-up finish in the Atlantic Sun Conference. While at Raleigh High he led the men's track and field team to a 4A state title in 2004, and the women's cross country teams were nationally ranked in 2000 and '01.
Morgan graduated from Indiana State with a bachelor's degree in sociology with an emphasis in research in 1994. He also minored in physical education endorsement with an emphasis in nutrition. Morgan received his master's in human services and health and wellness from Liberty in 2013.
The national search for a head coach began immediately after Coker announced it was adding men's and women's track and field as its 18th and 19th NCAA Division II sports. The Cobras will be affiliated with the South Atlantic Conference and begin competing in the 2014-15 academic year.
