After 17 years as a player and a member of the coaching staff, Blane Morgan has left the Air Force Academy football program to join the coaching staff at San Diego State.
Morgan moved to his new job as quarterbacks coach for the Aztecs in time for Sunday’s opening of spring football practice. He joins the staff of Rocky Long, who was an opponent of Air Force from 1998-2008 when he coached at New Mexico.
“It was the right time,” Morgan said Friday of his new job. “It’s a new start, and it’s exciting.”
Last season, Morgan was the quarterbacks coach at Air Force. In previous years, he served as a junior varsity coach and varsity assistant, as receivers coach and as co-offensive coordinator. He was a member of Fisher DeBerry’s coaching staff from 1999 through 2006 and remained on Troy Calhoun’s staff from 2007 through last season, when the Falcons finished 10-3.
“It was absolutely fun to have the kind of season we had last year,” Morgan said.
At San Diego State, Morgan will be working with a different type of quarterback from what he had at Air Force. The Aztecs usually feature a strong passing game with more of a pro-style quarterback.
“I think this is a good step for me as a coach,” Morgan said. “It’s an opportunity. I’ll miss the associations I had at Air Force. I was so connected to the place.”
Morgan had an illustrious playing career for the Falcons. In 1997, the Falcons finished 10-3. And in 1998, Morgan’s senior season, they were 12-1. Their only loss was a 35-34 decision at TCU.
Calhoun has made two additions to his coaching staff, bringing in Steed Lobotzke, a former Air Force player, and Derek Lewis, both to be on the offensive staff.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296, imoss@denverpost.com or
