Entering his ninth season as leader of the Nebraska-Kearney program in 2008, Darrell Morris has become one of the most successful coaches in the program’s 102-year history.

        He  currently has the third highest winning percentage in Loper lore (65.4), ranks third in wins (55) and has led the Lopers to two RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) titles and two NCAA Division II playoff berths.

        A member of the Loper coaching staff since 1986, he was named the 16th head football coach in school history in October of 1999.

        In addition to his head coaching duties, he also leads the UNK offensive line.

        Through 2007, the Florida native has a career record of 55-29, including a 45-19 mark in RMAC play (.703 win percentage).

         Since taking over as head coach, he has seen 73 different players earn all-conference honors. In addition, eight different Lopers have earned All-American status at least one time since 1999.

        Off the field, Morris has seen 10 of his players earn Academic All-District honors at least once with two Lopers eventually being named Academic All-American.

        Many Lopers have also seen their football careers continue after college. Morris and his staff have sent four players to the NFL since 1999 with two receiving invites to the NFL Draft combine.

        Additionally, many former Lopers have become stars in professional indoor football leagues throughout the country.

        In Morris' first year at the helm (2000), UNK went 7-3 and finished third in the RMAC. Ranked regionally and nationall, the Lopers had one of the nation’s best offenses and one of the toughest defenses in the league.                       

        Quarterback Justin Coleman finished a brilliant career as runner up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, the Division II version of the Heisman. He also became the D2 all-time leader in career passing yards with over 11,000. Finally, the Lopers went unbeaten at home (5-0) for the first time since 1978.

        Despite a lot of youth, UNK got even better in 2001. Going 8-2, the best winning percentage (80.0) by a UNK squad since 1979, the Lopers went 7-1 in the RMAC.                         

        Subsequently, UNK put 16 players on the all-league squad with kicker Henrik Juul-Nielsen earning All-American honors. Also, after not losing a home game in 2000, the Lopers were a perfect 5-0 on the road.

        The breakthrough year Loper fans had been waiting for came in 2002. Going 9-2 and winning an RMAC title for the first time ever, UNK also made the 16-team playoffs. The Lopers even hosted the game, making it only the second time in school history a postseason game was played in Kearney.

        Going unbeaten on the road for the second straight year, UNK finished the year ranked 12th in the land and won a slew of individual honors, including four All-Americans. Morris joined in the honors as he was named the RMAC Coach of the Year.

        In 2003, UNK went 5-5 but had four losses by eight points or less. The offense once again was among the best in the land, setting a school-record for yards per game (506.2) while scoring nearly 40 points every week.

        Receiver Richie Ross was named the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year after amassing 1,482 yards, one of the highest totals in Division II history.

        The next fall, the Lopers went 5-6 as injuries reeked havoc at QB and along the offensive line. Still, Garth Mins was named RMAC Special Teams Player of the Year while four different Lopers earned all-region honors.

        In 2005, UNK bounced back to post a 9-3 record and win its first outright RMAC title (7-1). The Lopers also hosted a playoff game for the second time in four years.

        Ross capped a great career by catching 19 TD’s. As a Loper, Ross had 50 TD catches and 4,882 receiving yards, among the highest totals in NCAA history (all divisions). 

        Fifth-year senior QB Marcus Goldenstein broke several passing records that season, throwing for 35 TD's and 3,381 yards.

        In 2006, the Lopers went 6-4 (5-3 RMAC) as the team broke in eight new starters on the offensive side of the ball. A veteran defense allowed just 14.5 points per game, the fewest by a Loper squad in 20 years. 

        Individually, junior receiver Eric Myrick led the RMAC in catches with safety Paul Jimenez earning first-team All-RMAC honors for the third straight season. Also, center Jack Hiett was named the RMAC Freshman of the Year and junior linebacker Kirk Peterson was tabbed as the RMAC Special Teams Player of the Year.

        Last year, the Lopers again posted a 6-4 mark (5-3 RMAC) with all four losses coming to teams that advanced to the postseason.

        A more potent offense was among the RMAC leaders in points (33.9) and rushing yards (173.4) with the defense holding five teams to 18 points or less.

        Senior OLB Nick Oberle earned his third all-conference honor with senior receiver Tyler McNitt capping a strong career with a trip to the East Coast Bowl, a pro showcase for non-Diviison I players.

        An extremely popular motivational speaker in the Central Nebraska area, Morris succeeded Claire Boroff, the winningest coach in school history, as leader of the Lopers.

        In Boroff’s 28 years, the Lopers had 19 winning seasons and won 12 conference championships. 

     Morris had a lot to do with the success of those teams. He held many duties during his tenure as an assistant, most recently being associate head coach, recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach.

        “My wife and I love the community, the student-athletes, and UNK. I’m particularly grateful to have worked with, and learned from, a fine coach and even a finer man, Claire Boroff,” Morris said.

         A native of Tampa, Morris played quarterback at Northwest Missouri State University where he earned a B.A. degree in physical education in 1983.

       He began his coaching career that same year at Southwestern College, an NAIA school in Winfield, Kans.

        During three seasons with the Moundbuilders, Morris served as assistant head coach, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. Southwestern won the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) title twice during his tenure and also won the Sunflower Bowl.

         He and his wife, Darla, live in Kearney. Morris' daughter, Linsey, is a UNK graduate.