Dec. 13, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Jonathan Morgan, one of the nation's top assistant soccer coaches, has been named an assistant coach for women's soccer at the University of Maryland, head coach Brian Pensky announced today.

Morgan comes to Maryland after spending the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State. At Ohio State Morgan was primarily responsible for coordinating the offensive attack and recruiting. Under Morgan's tutelage the Buckeyes finished third in the Big Ten in points per game with a 4.84 ppg average. The 2006 Buckeyes boasted the Big Ten conference's statistical individual leader in goals, goals per game, points per game, assists and assists per game.

"Jon is an outstanding addition to our staff," said Pensky. "His tireless work ethic on the recruiting trail will have an immediate impact on our program."

Prior to coaching at Ohio State, Morgan spent three seasons as a volunteer coach at Rutgers, where he helped the Scarlet Knights to postseason appearances in 2002, '03 and '04.

A native of Dover, Del., Morgan was a four-year starter at Rowan College in Glassboro, N.J., serving as team captain his senior season with the Profs. After he finished his playing career, he broke into the college coaching ranks with his alma mater in 1995, helping the Rowan men's team to a 17-1 mark and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

"Having grown up in Delaware, Jon is happy to be back on the east coast, and closer to his roots," said Pensky. "Therefore Maryland is a place where Jon is ready to settle down and remain for quite some time. And it's fabulous for us because Jon is, for lack of better words, committed to college coaching, and more specifically, women's college coaching."

He has also been involved with the Olympic Development Programs in Delaware and New Jersey, leading the New Jersey ODP girl's U-17 team to the Region 1 ODP championship in 2001. The team earned a trip to the ODP National championships and placed third.

"In addition to being an excellent recruiter, Jon is a terrific coach," added Pensky. "His teams have always played quality soccer, and we are pleased to have that positive influence in our program."

A USSF "B" licensed and KNVB Dutch Certificate coach, Morgan has served as a member of the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) Region 1 staff. He graduated from Rowan in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in law/justice.