Donald Hill-Eley has been the head coach of Morgan State’s football team since 2002.
The Virginia Union graduate is a former Baltimore Stallions receivers coach and won three Canadian Football League Championships before guiding the Bears to a record of 31-38 in his seven-plus seasons.
Hill-Eley, 39, led Morgan State to a 49-7 win over North Carolina Central on Saturday night, the school’s most lopsided win since 1976.
You talked about improving after the season-opening loss to Towson. How did the team come so far in only a week?
After last week, you’re talking about being able to keep their confidence.
A lot of work went into this, from spring, to two-a-days to the summer, and you’ve got to get some early success, so that they can believe in what you’re doing and they won’t try to do their own thing.
The defense recorded a single-game record six interceptions and returned a record three for touchdowns. What was the key to your success?
We knew their quarterback was a scrambler and a good passer when he scrambled.
We practiced the scramble drill all week — just staying with our guys rather then leaving their man. It paid off.
Next week you play at Winston-Salem State. They upset you, 19-17, this past year, what is your mindset heading into that game?
It was a tough game last year, and they came out and really took it to us.
We want to come out and carry that momentum down there with us.
I have about four hours to enjoy this one before I have to start preparing for Winston-Salem.
We look forward to the challenge of taking them on next week.
