Veteran Jeff Morrow, who won a state championship at Jeffersontown in 2006, has been named the boys basketball coach at Eastern High School.
Morrow replaces Leon Ellison, who went 13-15 in his only season with the Eagles.
“This was a unique opportunity for me,” Morrow said. “I’ve been doing this a long time, and I’m still as passionate about it as I’ve ever been. At the same time, I’m probably closing in on the final chapter of my career. I wanted a new challenge and something I could finish off strong with a bang.”
Morrow has a career record of 507-352 in 29 seasons as a head coach.
He got his start at Highview Baptist in 1994 and coached there for two seasons, followed by a two-season stint at Ballard (1996-98).
He took over at Jeffersontown in 1999 and compiled a 250-118 record in 12 seasons, leading the Chargers to the state championship in 2006. Morrow took the Iroquois job in 2012 and went 175-198 over 13 seasons there.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to hire a coach with such a long track record like Jeff Morrow,” Eastern athletics director Joe Scheper said. “He has proven over his near 30-year career that he knows what needs to be done. We look forward to him taking the reins of our storied basketball program.”
The state champion in 1997, Eastern hasn’t won a Seventh Region title since 2011. The Eagles last made the regional semifinals in 2020.
“I know what Eastern can be and what it’s been,” Morrow said. “Obviously, it does start with the players. … The No. 1 challenge is making it attractive for the kids who belong at Eastern, the ones in the resides area.
“I wouldn’t be going there if I didn’t feel like I could go there and win big. That’s my goal.”
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA basketball: Jeff Morrow named boys coach at Eastern High School