University Southern California Trojans
Steve Morton Named USC Offensive Line Coach
December 06, 1999 | Football
Dec. 6, 1999
LOS ANGELES - Steve Morton, who spent the 1999 season as USC's tight ends coach, will now handle the Trojan offensive line, USC head coach Paul Hackett announced today.
In his career, Morton has coached an NFL first rounder, 3 All-American first team offensive linemen, 4 Pac-10 Morris Trophy winners and 6 All-Pac-10 first team offensive line selections.
"We're fortunate to have someone of Steve Morton's experience and stature coaching our offensive line," said Hackett. "He has been a successful and well-respected coach in the Pac-10 for many, many years. And having him already on our staff will make the transition much easier."
Morton replaces Steve Greatwood, who was relieved of his duties on Nov. 29 after 2 years at Troy.
Morton, 46, has 25 years of coaching experience. He came to USC in July of 1999 from Washington, where he was the offensive line coach the previous 7 years (1992-98). He also worked with the kicking game. Among the Husky linemen he coached were 3 All-American first teamers (guard Benji Olson in 1996 and 1997, center Olin Kreutz in 1997 and tackle Lincoln Kennedy in 1992) and 5 All-Pac-10 first teamers (Olson and Kreutz twice each, Kennedy, Frank Garcia and Tom Gallagher). He also coached 3 players who won the Pac-10's Morris Trophy as the league's top lineman (as voted by the league's defensive linemen): Kreutz (1997), Bob Sapp (1996) and Kennedy (1992). Kennedy, who was a Lombardi Award finalist in 1992, was a NFL first round selection in 1993.
Morton began his coaching career at his alma mater, Washington State, where he served for 12 years (1975-86). First, he was a graduate assistant for 2 seasons (1975-76). He then was the Cougars' offensive line coach and junior varsity head coach in 1977. He handled WSU's tight ends for the next 4 years (1978-81) and then was the offensive line coach for the final 5 seasons (1982-86). He coached Dan Lynch, the 1984 Morris Trophy winner who was an All-Pac-10 first team pick in 1983 and 1984.
He then went with Cougar coach Jim Walden to Iowa State, where he was in charge of the offensive line for 5 years (1987-91) before he moved on to Washington.
Morton played center and offensive guard at Washington State in 1973 and 1974 after transferring from Grays Harbor Community College in Aberdeen, Wash., where he played in 1971 and 1972. He was an All-Northwest Junior College pick in 1972. He received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Washington State in 1976.
