Troy Morrell, one of the winningest head coaches in NJCAA football history, joined Utah State as associate head coach and senior offensive analyst in July of 2024.
Morrell will be entering his 20th season as a collegiate coach this fall for the Aggies.
Most recently, Morrell was the head coach at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, for 15 seasons (2000-14), compiling a record of 154-22 and winning three National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championships, 12 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) titles and 10 Region VI Championships, along with playing in 13 bowl games. His career winning percentage of .875 is the highest in NJCAA history, while his 154 wins rank 18th all-time among NJCAA coaches.
Overall, the Grizzlies played in seven national championship games during his 15-year head coaching career. For his team’s accomplishments, Morrell was named a five-time KJCCC Coach of the Year (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008) and two-time NJCAA National Coach of the Year (2003, 2007).
Under Morrell’s leadership, three Grizzly players were named National Defensive Player of Year, 70 players were selected as NJCAA All-Americans, and 13 players were honored as Academic All-Americans. In all, a total of 215 players during Morrell's tenure moved on to Division I programs, with 19 playing in the NFL.
Among those that Morrell coached include Zac Taylor, who is the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals; Sherrone Moore, who is the head coach at the University of Michigan; Billy Cosh, who is the head coach at Stony Brook University; Press Taylor, who is the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars; and Chandler Whitmer, who is the passing game specialist for the Atlanta Falcons.
In his first season as the head coach at Butler CC, Morrell guided the Grizzlies to a 10-2 record and a final national ranking of No. 6 in the country. The 2001 season was a milestone for Morrell as the Grizzlies captured their first KJCCC title. His teams would win the next eight conference titles in a row on their way to compiling a combined record of 86-9 during that span, including three NJCAA National Championships (2003, 2007, 2008).
Prior to being named the head coach of Butler CC, Morrell served as offensive coordinator for the Grizzlies in 1998 and 1999, helping the team to a pair of national titles. In 1999, Morrell coached running back Rudi Johnson to NJCAA National Player of the Year honors as he led the nation in rushing yards and touchdowns.
Morrell began his coaching career as an offensive line coach at Butler CC during the 1996 and 1997 seasons before being promoted to offensive coordinator.
Morrell played for Butler CC on the offensive line for two seasons (1990-91), earning Academic All-American honors in his last season with the program. He then transferred to Fort Hays State, where he graduated in 1996.
Morrell was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame and the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 2015, and the Butler Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021.
Morrell and his wife, Jessica, have two children: Dylan and Mady.
TROY MORRELL FILE
Coaching History
2024- Utah State – Associate Head Coach/Senior Offensive Analyst
2000-14 Butler CC – Head Coach
1998-99 Butler CC – Offensive Coordinator
1996-97 Butler CC – Offensive Line
National Championships (5)
Butler CC (3) – 2008, 2007, 2003, 1999, 1998
Conference Championships (14)
Butler CC (14) – Kansas Jayhawk, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999, 1998
Region Championships (13)
Butler CC (13) – NJCAA Region VI, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999, 1998
Bowl Games (13)
Butler CC (13) – 2013 Graphic Edge; 2012 Graphic Edge; 2011 Citizen’s Bank; 2010 Citizen’s Bank; 2008 Top of the Mountain; 2007 Top of the Mountain; 2006 Dalton Defenders; 2005 Top of the Mountain; 2004 Dalton Defenders; 2003 Dixie Rotary; 2002 Dixie Rotary; 2001 Golden Isles; 2000 Empire State; 1999 Dixie Rotary; 1998 Real Dairy
Coach of the Year (8)
NJCAA (2) – 2007, 2003
Kansas Jayhawk (5) – 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003
AFCA NJCAA (1) – 2003
Playing Experience
1990-91 Butler CC – Offensive Lineman
Education
1996 Fort Hays State – Physical Ed. & Health
Family
Wife – Jessica; Children; Dylan, Mady