Neal Morgan

I didn't know Neal Morgan as Coach. I knew him as Mr. Morgan. The father of my best friend Allison. I was still scared of him though. lol. I spent many nights at Allison's house and through time and age became unafraid of him. Mrs. Morgan was such a gentle soul and easy to talk to. He took a little more work but it was well worth it. I don't think his brain ever shut down. Even when he was sleeping. Both a curse and a gift. I will miss him being alive on this earth. Just wondering what his next article or book might be about. I'll never forget his newspaper article about being denied a cellphone because he wanted to pay cash for it instead of using a credit card. God forbid some people can pay cash! He was one of a kind and I will miss his presence deeply.

Lance, your dad was a good coach and a better person. He used to stop in and visit my oldest brother at his used car dealership in Lufkin. He always "made his day" when he stopped to visit.
Do you remember that time in practice back in 76 .. you were a sr and I was a jr cornerback. You missed a block on me and he made us run the play over and over again till I think we were both so exhausted we couldn't get off the ground. I went up to him after practice and asked him why did I have to suffer because you missed a block. He spit some tobacco on the ground and said sorry son, I was trying to teach a lesson and got carried away. That was the first time any grown-up ever admitted a mistake to me. To me it took a BIG man to admit he got a little carried away. In my eyes, he will always be Coach.

A Texas legend. What a man. Had the pleasure of asking him to speak at our Nederland Football Banquet. Neal wasn't sure if he wanted to do it or not, he said to me"I have nothing to talk about". I told him your experiences in life will do Neal. He accepted. When he spoke he didn't need to raise his voice, everyone was on the edge of their chairs. Sorry to see him go. God Bless

Davey Joe and Jake Hart. " Jake Hart, you ought not to've let them hog-fart Wampus Jacks kick your ass."
If you don't know those two names or that line, you haven't read "Play it from the Heart " by Neal Morgan . I consider it one of the best football novels about Texas Football ever! Coach signed my copy with the line "all my best to a fellow sports enthusiast." I couldn't be prouder of that line signed by someone I had always addressed as coach.
The flyleaf lists Neal as a Texas native, writer , rancher ,and for 28 years a teacher, football coach and adminsitrator in Texas high schools and colleges. I want to add to that " solid democrat and lifelong Nederland Bulldog supporter.
This was to be the season Coach was to be in our broadcast booth with Charlie Jehlen at selected Nederland games for the Friday Night Experience. I regret that will not happen now as Nederland and Texas has lost a fine citizen who represented all the best qualities of a writer, educator and coach.
Thank you to the Morgan family for letting us share time and moments all these years with Coach. mike sheffield

My deepest heart felt condolence to family and friends. Loved listening to Neals stories and reading his articles he wrote.....never a dull moment! Neal will be missed by so many.

I always thought the world of Coach Morgan.
Did my student teaching under him and his staff
back in 1976. Very proud of that experience
and of coach. He had a positive influence over
many of us. We need more Neal Morgan's
in this world...

We are so saddened to hear of your dad's passing. What a special man he was! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as well as our deepest sympathy. Love, Jeanine & Carl

So sorry to hear of passing of COACH. He influenced many lives and will be greatly missed by many. We were blessed to have had his presence in our lives. His memories will be with us forever. Prayers and condolences to his family and friends.

To Lance, Allison,Bobby and grandchildren,

We have lost at great coach, writer, friend to many and more so, just a great man. When I ran for the school board in 1979, the first person that I talked to was Neal, because of his wisdom and the respect that I had for him. He has had a great influence on my life from being my coach and being my friend. I will miss him.

Ronny Nelson
NHS Class of 1965

God Bless the family of Neal Morgan. He was a Nederland favorite son, great teacher and coach, amazing writer and voice for education and justice. He coached my brother and his wife, Marilyn, was my fifth grade teacher. When I think of Neal Morgan, I think fondly of a rich spirit that is rooted deeply in this community. He "walked his talk," and never lost his love of the Bulldogs, local sports and all the topics of life here in Southeast Texas. He will be greatly missed.
You have our most profound sympathy as you face his loss.
The Streetman family