Neal Morgan

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

Thanks Neal for the influence that you have had on our many lives. We will truly miss you and I will always remember you as a standout among those who have passed through the doors of Nederland High School.

An extremely intelligent man who accomplished so much in his lifetime, Neal was indeed an enigma to some but to his friends and family he was no mystery.

He was more than a football coach, more than a rancher and more than an author. I feel blessed to have known him and to be able to call him my friend. Both Neal and his good friend Pat Johnson were mentors and life coaches to me.

I am very sorry to hear about Coach Morgan's death. He was a fine man and a good coach. My sincere condolences to family and loved ones.

Bob Bush
Nederland Track (1963-1965)

Coaching and Teaching, Alot of Hours and Not much Pay you told me. Now I know what Teachers and Coaches have to Put up with. Being in Teaching and Coached a for a little while. Put up with Parents, Kids, Athletes, Booster Clubs and People in the Community.The list goes on and on. But Somehow or Somewhere you have a Inpact on One Student Good or Bad... They Reflect back and say, Damm He was Right! Lance , My Prayers to you and your Family... Your Mom was just an Angel. I did part of my Student Teaching Assignment with Her. Coach Morgan, You attended My Grandparents John and Tensie May Funnerals when they passed away...They thought of you, your Brothers and Sister and Aunt Hazel alot... Out of Respect, Rest in Peace Coach...

Lance, Allison, and family,

May God's healing hands be over you at this challenging time. Thank you for sharing your father with so many people over the years. He imparted so much to all of us and his gift is being passed through us to those we are in contact with daily. I am completing my 34th year in coaching and I can thank your dad for where I am today in coaching. The way he worked with us players made me want to do that when I grew up. It has truly been a blessing and I thank Coach for that. He is on the coaching staff in Heaven - still making a difference in the lives he touches. Coach Morgan is truly a man of great character and he will live on in all of us he mentored. Thanks Coach.

Don Clayton
NHS '75

Neal influenced my life and coaching career from the start. He took me to the first day of school in Nederland and was, along with other Bulldogs ,was one of my heroes to look up to with those great football teams. He gave me my first coaching job in Orange. He had a brilliant mind and I learned all the basics of coaching from him. Most of all he was a great person and one to emulate. Neal meant so much to me and my family--he will be missed
Wade Phillips and family

To Bobby, from a 1964 classmate, Tommye Jean Budwah Robbins: So sorry to hear of Neal's passing. I was sitting on the track at the Nederland-PNG game in 2013 and Neal was there also watching the game. It was announced that Bum Phillips had just passed away, and I remember Neal being upset and crying. I had e-mailed him last year that I thought he should write a book about his memories of Bum Phillips....wish he had....that would have been some interesting reading!

So sorry for you loss. Your Dad was a great man and a good friend.

I am so sorry for the loss of your father. He was a great man .Loved by many. May God give you strength to get you through this time of sorrow.
Faye Prejean

Play It From The Heart -- one of my favorite books! I could "hear" those coaches and I could "smell" those scents that you so perfectly described.. Thank you, Neal , for writing it. I know that you lived from the heart as well and that's the most important thing. Will always remember that you gave us our first job and how encouraging you and Marilyn were to us when we were just rookies in this business.

Sincere prayers and thoughts for all the family. It is so difficult to lose him.

What a great loss. One of the greatest coaches I've been fortunate enough to be exposed. A true motivator of young men. He will be truly missed. God bless.

Neal,always thought about Wharton and talked to Pat often about the good times we all had. We did not get together much over the years but is was always a joy when we did. I hope they have good horses and fat cows where you are now.

GOD BLESS !!

Neal, you will be missed. You were always so proud of your family….proud to be a Morgan and that is something I take with me to this day. You are an exceptional human being and I feel lucky to have called you family. Go well.

One heck of a coach! and teacher.

Coach, you have touched many with life lessons that will stay with us forever. We honor you in memory and are thankful for your guidance. Prayers and love to Lance, Allison and families. Thank you for sharing your Dad with so many. Rest in Peace, Friend.
Steve, Gay, and Family

Dear Allison & Lance,
I'm sorry for the loss of your Dad and my friend, Neal. He was a unique person and I enjoyed knowing him. He will be missed by many people whose lives he touched.
Linda Pinner

Diane and I are so very sad to hear of your dads passing. He did so much for Nederland and the entire community was better by his efforts and commitment. He will be missed. Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.

We are so sorry to hear of this lost.

I didn't know Mr. Morgan, but I read his editorial comments whenever they appeared in the Port Arthur News. His columns were so honest and true. He seemed to be a fine mam and I will miss his comments.

Coach Morgan was one of my football and track coaches at Nederland High School in the mid 60's. He had a great influence on my life because I went on to coach for 42 years. I only hope that I have had the same impact on other student's lives as he had on mine. "No Man is an Island", his influence goes on forever.

It was a learning experience listening to coach's stories. My Sincere Condolences

Be strong Dogs

Coach Morgan
Was a special person.
He will be missed.
Teacher and motivator of young men.
Big influence on my life.

Fred Neely
Class of 1960

So sorry to hear of Neal's passing. He was a dear frieng and know he was loved by many. Love to his family.

I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF NEAL'S PASSING, HE WAS A GREAT FRIEND AND SUPPORTER FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE--HE TRULY BELIEVE IN THE POWER AND CAPABILITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL--HE BELIEVED IN YOU,THEREFORE YOU BEGAN TO BELIEVE AND ACHIEVE. REST WELL OLD FRIEND, I'LL SAVE UP ALL MY DEBATES TILL ME MEET AGAIN----JANIE