Morrill to retire after season

After 17 years as head men’s basketball coach for Utah State, Stew Morrill announced Friday this season will be his last.

“I know it’s the right time to make this decision,” Morrill said. “I am looking forward to some new freedoms and bugging my wife Vicki on a daily basis.”

Morrill made it clear his decision had not been influenced by USU’s front office or any outside pressures.

“I know there will be all kinds of speculation, that’s the nature of this, this is my decision,” Morrill said. “I had a few years left on a contract. I went to Scott (Barnes) about a month ago, as he said, and it’s just time. It’s the right time.”

Under Morrill’s leadership, the Aggies boast a 243-29 (.893) home record, earning the Aggies’ home court a fearsome reputation.

“Stew Morrill is synonymous with Utah State Basketball and will go down in Aggie history as the greatest coach to ever walk up and down the sidelines of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum,” said Utah State University Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Barnes. “Stew has given 100 percent in making USU basketball and so many student-athletes into the best they could be, and we’re very appreciative of his 17 years of service and dedication to Utah State University.”

Morrill will continue to coach the Aggies through the current season. He explained his timing as the best thing for the university, as USU will now have time to conduct a thorough search for its next head coach.

“I’ll just tell you I’ve been a very lucky man to be at Utah State,” Morrill said. “I’m so thrilled. Not many get to end their coaching career by retiring. It just doesn’t happen very much anymore. I feel very fortunate and thankful that we’re able to do it this way.”

— logantjones@gmail.com

Twitter: @logantj