‘Big Dave’ Morgan helps MFISD children develop a love for sports

CAPTION: The Morgans: Christine (left), Megan, David, Big Dave and Langlie after the younger Morgan suited up with the Minnesota Vikings to play at the Denver Broncos during a preseason game in August 2018. Courtesy photo

The passing of beloved Marble Falls Elementary School coach “Big Dave” Morgan is a loss felt by countless Marble Falls Independent School District students, graduates and families.

A celebration of life ceremony is at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at Max Copeland Gym on the Marble Falls High School campus.

Some may know Morgan as Christine Morgan’s husband and Megan and David Morgan’ dad. David is a 2011 Marble Falls High School graduate who went on to play college football for the University of Texas at San Antonio as a tight end and later for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. He got a lot of his athletic ability from his dad, who also played tight end but for the University of North Carolina and Shippensburg State University.

And others know Coach Dave as an individual who shared his love of sports with elementary children for 16 years and as the parent-coach of many of his son’s youth and summer league teams. Hours spent with those players is a big reason why Big Dave became a full-time coach and stopped his lawn care and maintenance business.

“He was a great ambassador and representative of Marble Falls,” said Connor Docherty, a 2011 Marble Falls graduate who played for Morgan. “He’s always been around and a true Mustang. He was such a fun coach and a good mentor. David looked up to him. He was quite the athlete himself.”

Docherty recalled the hours in the gym that were filled with laughter and fun. And when Coach Dave walked in, the fun continued and the players worked with a purpose, especially the younger Morgan who had every physical gift to be an awesome athlete in every sport he played that included football, basketball and soccer.

“There was a mutual respect,” Docherty said. “David looked up to him a lot. They were best friends. He was an authoritative figure and kept David in line. David stood at attention immediately.”

That wasn’t limited to the hard wood. The younger Morgan excelled on the gridiron, too. The family took numerous trips throughout the summer of 2010 so David could attend college football camps where college coaches could get a closer look at his skills. Former UTSA coach Larry Coker made the younger Morgan a priority and came to Marble Falls High School to learn more.

Once David enrolled at the school, the Morgans spent many happy game days with other UTSA fans and families during tailgate parties and at the Alamodome, Docherty said.

“He cooked up food at the tailgate,” he said of the elder Morgan. “I know for a fact nobody was prouder of David for all his accomplishments more than Big Dave.”

When the younger Morgan was selected with the 188th pick in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft and became the first UTSA player ever drafted by the league, the family had many friends and some media members over to their home for a draft gathering. When David made a public appearance at a local car dealership, his dad did a live radio interview and choked back the emotion of what he felt the day his son was drafted.

Then they began making plans to attend Vikings games. The three Morgans each wore David’s jersey.

“There was so much pride,” Docherty said. “David worked his whole life to make his dad proud. He really did that.”

Coach Dave also was popular with the elementary students as he taught them the basics of sports and fitness and gave them an introduction on being active, Docherty said.

“He was a great guy and a good role model,” he said. “He gave lots of hugs. Big Dave was willing to coach youth soccer, youth basketball. He volunteered his time and worked. He was a great example. We’ll follow in his footsteps.”

The Dave Morgan Memorial Fund, which benefits Marble Falls youth, is at First United Bank. The family requests donations be made there or checks sent to the bank at P.O. Box 888 in Marble Falls in lieu of flowers. Donations also may be made through Venmo @Christine-Morgan-84.

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