Morgan State University

On February 8, 2002 Donald Hill-Eley became the 18th head football coach in Morgan State history.

Hill, age 39, begins his seventh season as Morgan State’s head coach with a veteran offensive unit and a deep and one of the top defensive units in the nation.

In his first season the Bears fell one game shy of winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship as they recorded their first winning season since 1979. Hill followed that season by placing another notch in his belt as the Bears completed the season with a 6-5 overall record. It marked the Bears’ second straight winning season and its first back-to-back winning seasons since 1970-71.

Hill knows what it takes to get players to perform at the highest level and he is looking forward to competing for the MEAC Title in 2008.

During Hill’s tenure as offensive coordinator, the Bears never had a problem with putting up big numbers. The Bears offense finished the 2002 season ranked 3rd in the MEAC in total offense with 381.2 yards per game, scoring offense (30.3 ypg), 2nd in rushing offense (211.2 ypg). In 2003, 2nd in rushing offense (198.7 ypg), ranked 3rd in rushing defense (119.1 ypg), ranked 4th in total offense (359 ypg), and 4th in scoring offense (28.9 ppg). In 2004, the Bears ranked 1st in the MEAC in total offense as they racked up 458.1 yards per game. The Bears were also 2nd in passing offense (240.3 ypg) and 2nd in scoring (36.6 ppg). Despite an uncharacteristic season in 2005, the Bears still finished with the top passing offense in the conference by throwing for 2,023 yards.

Hill’s efforts in 2006 took the Bears to a 5-6 finish, that included spectacular finishes, heartbreaking losses, and the emergence of one of the top defenses in the conference. The Bears completed the season tied for 4th place and the defense improved to a first place conference standing against the run — limiting teams to 117 yards per contest. The defense also ranked 3rd in sacks and 5th in scoring defense. Offensively, the Bears ranked 2nd in time of possession and 5th in rushing offense.

In 2007, the Bears were predicted to finish 6th in the MEAC polls and finished the season ranked 5th despite a couple of wire-to-wire battles. During the 5-6 season, Morgan State recorded impressive wins over Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M, and suffered overtime losses South Carolina State and nationally ranked Hampton, including a controversial defeat against nationally ranked Delaware State in Dover.

Morgan State completed the 2007 season as one of the top defenses in the nation. The Bears allowed 20.5 points per game (ranked 3rd in the MEAC) and ranked among the national leaders in total defense (2nd in FCS - 264.8 ypg), rush defense (1st in MEAC - 130.9 ypg) and pass defense (1st in FCS - 139.1 ypg). The Bears were also very productive on offense as they averaged 23.7 points per game and averaged 348.4 yards per contest and converted 79.1 percent (3rd in MEAC) of their red-zone opportunities.

Hill grew up in Suffolk, Virginia, one of the fastest growing cities in Virginia, where he excelled as an athlete at John Yeates High School. After high school he resumed his athletic career at Virginia Union University, where his father had been an All-American linebacker. Hill played four years of football for the Panthers and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology/criminal justice in the spring of 1991. He embarked upon his coaching career the following fall as a Panther assistant coach. In 1992, he left his alma mater and joined Hampton University. He worked as a Graduate Assistant for the Pirates football team before moving to the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Baltimore Stallions in 1994. As wide receiver coach. His team captured the Grey Cup Championship in 1995 and in the same year he also attained his Master’s degree in Counseling from Hampton.

Hill’s next stop was with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts. He worked as a Guest Coach from 1996 to 1997. The Argos won two Grey Cup Championships during his two years.

Following his stint in the CFL, Hill returned to Hampton where he served from 1997 to 2000 as the Offensive Coordinator and Pro Scout liaison. During his tenure, Hill was instrumental in the Pirates winning the mythical Black College National Championship, two MEAC titles and 1999 Heritage Bowl.

Having made a positive contribution at Hampton and eager for a new challenge, Hill accepted an offer to become Offensive Coordinator at Morgan State University in 2001. He quickly established himself at MSU, and catapulted the Bears into being an offensive power within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Highly respected by his peers, Hill is a member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Free and Accepted Masons.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Hill is extremely active within the Baltimore community and is involved with several activities, including the Annual Morgan State Football Camp, a Coaches’ Clinic and Passing Camp. Hill was also instrumental in setting up a mentorship partnership with MSU athletics and local elementary children.