The Legend Of Sleepy Morgan

[50's PONY]

The Legend Of Sleepy Morgan

Herman “Sleepy” Morgan
The 1940’s were a magical time in the history of SMU football. SMU Coach Matty Bell’s hiring of Highland Park Coach Rusty Russell to run the Pony offense triggered a series of events that would forever change SMU football history. Russell’s hiring played a significant role in H.P. star Doak Walker’s decision to attend SMU. Russell’s decision to come to SMU also opened the way for Herman “Sleepy” Morgan to succeed him at Highland Park. When Matty decided to retire after the 1949 season, Russell was named his successor and he quickly put in a call to Morgan to join the SMU staff. Morgan would be the Mustang freshman coach for 25 of the 26 years.

Morgan, who acquired the nickname “Sleepy” by falling asleep in one of his classes at Sulphur Springs High School, is still considered an SMU treasure. He quickly became one of the greatest recruiters in Southwest Conference history. His very first recruit was Port Arthur’s great running back, Frank Eidom. Rumor was that Eidom would sign with Texas but that quickly changed after Morgan spent one afternoon and evening with Eidom and his mother. Morgan’s first class also included future Mustang greats Ed Bernet of Highland Park and Duane Nutt of Corsicana. Other Mustang greats recruited by Morgan included Forrest Gregg and Don Meredith.
With His Boys



When Sleepy retired from coaching in 1976 he wanted stay close to SMU and was encouraged by friends to help the Mustangs by raising money for the Mustang Club. He continued to use the same down-to-earth approach he said he learned naturally as a youngster on a farm in Sulphur Springs. Whether he was getting a great recruit or raising money, he was “putting hay in the barn for his Mustangs.” Sleepy’s approach was very personal. He would send a personal handwritten letter to his “boys” that became legendary. He would write each one of them differently, because they were all different and it kept him in touch with hundreds of players over the years. When asked why he did it this way Sleepy said “I do it to help the team and because I love SMU.”

Morgan passed away in 1993 and the next year the SMU Mustang Club Board of Directors voted to change the name of the Mustang Club Annual Fund drive to the Morgan Campaign. Every year since volunteers have worked to continue “putting hay in the barn” for the Mustangs.

To learn more about how you can “put some hay in the barn” for the Mustangs just click here.



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[PK]

Link to smumustangs.com for story with pictures:

http://www.smumustangs.com/feature.asp?id=228