Stew Morrill, born on July 25, 1952 in Utah, had his early introduction to basketball at a young age. He developed a passion for the sport and knew that he wanted to pursue a career in coaching. After graduating high school, Morrill went on to attend Ricks College where he also played college basketball. He then transferred to Gonzaga University where he continued his basketball career while completing his degree.
After graduating from Gonzaga, Morrill began his coaching career in 1974 as an assistant at his alma mater. He spent several years honing his coaching skills before eventually moving on to other coaching positions at different schools. In 1992, Morrill was hired as the head coach for Colorado State University, where he had a successful tenure before moving on to Utah State.
Morrill's time at Utah State proved to be the highlight of his coaching career. From 1998 to 2015, he led the Utah State Aggies to multiple conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. His coaching prowess was recognized when he won three consecutive WAC Coach of the Year awards from 2009 to 2011.
One of the most memorable moments of Morrill's coaching career was in 2009 when his Utah State team suffered a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Aggies were defeated by Jimmy Butler and Marquette in a tight game that ended with a one-point difference, 58-57.
Off the court, Morrill was a devoted family man. He shared four children with his wife Vicki: Jesse, Allan, Nicole, and Tiffany. Despite the demands of his coaching career, Morrill always made time for his family and supported them in all their endeavors.
Overall, Stew Morrill's legacy in college basketball is one of excellence, perseverance, and dedication. He will always be remembered as a formidable coach who left a lasting impact on the sport and the lives of those he coached.
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