Josh Morgan Named VDN’s Head Football Coach of the Year

VICKSBURG, Miss. – Josh Morgan has been named the 2024 Vicksburg Daily News Head Football Coach of the Year.

After 15 years as Warren Central’s Head Coach, Morgan hasn’t lost his ability to lead a football program as the Vikings made it to the North State Championship in 2024 for the first time in three decades. WC also came out as District Champions for the second consecutive season.

“Going into this year we had really high expectations and I was proud of our growth,” Morgan said. “There’s no substitute for hard work and we had one of the best seasons we’ve ever had around here and a lot of that goes to our seniors and coaching staff.”

The start of the season didn’t go as planned as WC fell short 26-20 against Clinton. Under Morgan’s leadership, the Vikings bounced back with wins over Pearl and Germantown. At one point in time, WC was 2-3 before going on a five-game winning streak to end the regular season with a 7-3 record.

After the regular season, the true highlights began for Morgan and WC. Defeating Saltillo(43-0) in the first round was expected but the second round 21-3 victory over South Panola was proof that the boys became men. 

“It took us a little while to learn how to play together but when we did it became something special and it helped us become one of the last teams’ standing,” Morgan added. “Belief is a powerful thing and they did what it took to be winners and we had a championship-caliber team.”

The 2024 season was filled with more than just victories as three of WC’s athletes became record holders. Larry Reynolds Jr.(WC single-season sacks), Jonah Artman(Warren County leader in field goals), and Maddox Lynch(WC reception and receiving yards leader) all had their names written in the history books this year.

The Vikings finished with an overall 9-4 record and their season came to an end in the third round after a loss to Grenada.

Under Morgan’s leadership, WC has remained one of the top programs in the state of Mississippi. Multiple players have signed scholarships under his tenure and 2024 won’t be any different as some have already verbally committed.

“We want them to be the very best at everything that they do,” Morgan said. “It’s not just about football but we want them to always have a winning attitude because this world needs good men in it.”