Portland State University Athletics

Upon his hire over the winter, Steve Morton became the senior member of the Portland State football staff with four decades of collegiate coaching experience to his credit. 

Morton takes over as the offensive line coach for the Vikings. He will lead a position group that has annually been one of the most productive at Portland State. Last year, the Viking line led the team to six offensive records, including most yards of total offense, most rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, and allowed just 10 sacks while attempting 365 passes.

The Vikings lost All-American Mitchell Van Dyk and three-year starting center Mitch Gaulke to graduation, but Morton will have a talented group to build around behind returning starters Cornelius Edison, Cam Keizer and Kyle Smith. Three other letterwinners return on the line as well as a strong and deep group of redshirt freshman from the 2013 recruiting class.

"We are fortunate to have a guy with not only Steve's experience, but his energy," said Viking Coach Nigel Burton. "If you are around him, you have no idea he has coached that long. We always try to bring in great players that are better people, but he is a great coach that is a better person. The guys he has coached have so much respect for him. It is tough to replace Brad Davis but Steve is a guy that can do the job as well as anyone."

Morton spent the past two seasons at Weber State as offensive line coach and associate head coach. He has an extensive resume of college football coaching, beginning all the way back in 1975.

Prior to his time at Weber State, Morton spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Washington State in what was his second stint at his alma mater.  Morton began his coaching career in 1975 as a Washington State graduate assistant under Jim Walden. He became a full-time assistant coach in 1977 and spent the next 10 seasons in Pullman. 

In 1987 Morton moved to Iowa State University, where he spent the next five seasons. He then went to Washington as offensive line coach where he spent seven seasons and had five bowl appearances with the Huskies.  Morton coached two seasons at USC (1999-2000) and one year at Nevada (2001) before spending three seasons at Stanford as the offensive line coach (2002-04).  In 2005, Morton was hired as offensive line coach at San Jose State, he was then elevated to the role of offensive coordinator.  Morton returned to Washington State in 2010.

Morton has coached five Pac-10 Morris Trophy winners, signifying the conference's best lineman. Additionally he has mentored four first-team All-America players, and NFL first-round draft choices Kwame Harris of Stanford and Lincoln Kennedy of Washington.

As a player, he was a center and offensive guard on the 1973 and 1974 Washington State teams, playing for head coach Jim Sweeney. He graduated in 1977 with a degree in physical education.

Morton and his wife Karen have two adult children, son Beau and daughter Bethany. He also has a son-in-law, Zech Bordon,  a grandson, Caleb, and a granddaughter, Isabel. 

THE STEVE MORTON FILE
1st year at Portland State

Hometown: Chehalis, WA
Alma Mater: Washington State, 1977 (Physical Education)
Playing Experience: Washington State, 1973-74, offensive line
Family: Wife, Karen; Son, Beau; Daughter, Bethany; two grandchildren

COACHING EXPERIENCE:
2012-13 Weber State, Offensive Line/Associate Head Coach
2010-11 Washington State, Offensive Line
2005-09, San Jose State, Offensive Line/Offensive Coordinator
2002-04, Stanford, Offensive Line
2001 Nevada, Offensive Line
1999-00 USC, Tight Ends/Offensive Line
1992-98, Washington, Offensive Line
1987-91 Iowa State, Offensive Line
1975-86 Washington State, Tight Ends/Offensive Line

RECRUITING AREAS
Out of state: Northern Washington, Northeast Seattle, Washington Islands