John Morton (American football)

John Morton
	Morton with the USC Trojans in 2008
Detroit Lions
Position:	Offensive coordinator
Personal information
Born:	September 24, 1969 (age 55); Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
Career information
High school:	Avondale (Auburn Hills, Michigan)
College:	Western Michigan
Undrafted:	1993
Career history
As a player:
	Oakland Raiders (1993); Green Bay Packers (1993); Oakland Raiders (1994); Jacksonville Jaguars (1995); Toronto Argonauts (1995); Oakland Raiders (1996)*; Toronto Argonauts (1996); Frankfurt Galaxy (1997);
	* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
	Oakland Raiders (1998–1999); Offensive assistant; Oakland Raiders (2000–2001); Offensive quality control coach; Oakland Raiders (2002–2003); Senior offensive assistant; Oakland Raiders (2004); Tight ends coach; San Diego (2005); Passing game & wide receivers coach; New Orleans Saints (2006); Passing game coordinator & offensive assistant; USC (2007–2008); Passing game coordinator & wide receivers coach; USC (2009–2010); Offensive coordinator & wide receivers coach; San Francisco 49ers (2011–2014); Wide receivers coach; New Orleans Saints (2015–2016); Wide receivers coach; New York Jets (2017); Offensive coordinator; Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders (2019–2021); Senior offensive assistant; Detroit Lions (2022); Senior offensive assistant; Denver Broncos (2023–2024); Pass game coordinator; Detroit Lions (2025–present); Offensive coordinator;
	Record at Pro Football Reference

John Morton (born September 24, 1969) is an American professional football coach and former player who is the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the passing game coordinator for the Denver Broncos from 2023 to 2024.

Morton also previously served as a senior offensive assistant coach for the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and at USC.

Playing career

Morton played college football at Western Michigan, where he was a wide receiver. He played wide receiver professionally for the Canadian Football League Toronto Argonauts and on the practice squads of the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers.^[1]

Coaching career

Oakland Raiders

After ending his playing career in 1997, Morton began working for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders, initially in the personnel department for one season. In 1998, he took a coaching position in the organization, originally as an offensive assistant working with wide receivers, and eventually was promoted to senior offensive assistant on a team that made it to Super Bowl XXXVII under head coach Bill Callahan. After another year at the position, he was elevated to Tight Ends Coach for the 2004 season under new Raiders head coach Norv Turner.^[1]

San Diego

In 2005, he joined Jim Harbaugh's staff at the University of San Diego, a D-IAA college program, where he coached the passing game and wide receivers for a squad that went 11-1-0 and won the Pioneer Football League Championship.

New Orleans Saints

In 2006, Morton was hired by the New Orleans Saints as their passing game coordinator and offensive assistant under head coach Sean Payton, who advanced to the 2006 NFC Championship game.

USC

In 2007, Morton joined the University of Southern California (USC) as their passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. When offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian accepted a head coaching position with Washington, Morton was interviewed by head coach Pete Carroll as a candidate for the position.^[2] As expected, Morton eventually got the job.^[3] In 2010, Morton was retained as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach under head coach Lane Kiffin.

New York Jets

In 2017, Morton was hired by the New York Jets as their offensive coordinator under head coach Todd Bowles. On January 17, 2018, Morton was subsequently fired.^[4]

Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders

In February 2019, Morton was hired by the Oakland Raiders as a senior offensive assistant under head coach Jon Gruden.

Detroit Lions

In 2022, Morton was hired by the Detroit Lions as a senior offensive assistant under head coach Dan Campbell.

Denver Broncos

On February 26, 2023, Morton was hired by the Denver Broncos as their passing game coordinator, reuniting with head coach Sean Payton.^[5]

Detroit Lions (second stint)

On January 30, 2025, Morton was hired by the Detroit Lions as their offensive coordinator, replacing Ben Johnson, after his departure to become head coach of the Chicago Bears.^[6]

Personal life

Morton has two daughters, Tierney and Sage.

References

^ ^a ^b "John Morton - Football Coach".
^ Klein, Gary (December 8, 2008). "Two coaches with quite the resumes". Los Angeles Times.
^ Klein, Gary (December 13, 2008). "USC coaching staff may play musical chairs". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008.
^ Rapoport, Ian (January 17, 2018). "The #Jets have fired OC John Morton, source confirms (as @MMehtaNYDN reported)". @RapSheet. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
^ "Broncos hire Lions assistant coach John Morton as their new passing game coordinator". lionswire.usatoday.com. February 27, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
^ "Lions announce offensive & defensive coordinator hires". Detroit Lions. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.

External links

Detroit Lions profile

[usc-1] "John Morton - Football Coach".

[LAT120808-2] Klein, Gary (December 8, 2008). "Two coaches with quite the resumes". Los Angeles Times.

[3] Klein, Gary (December 13, 2008). "USC coaching staff may play musical chairs". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008.

[4] Rapoport, Ian (January 17, 2018). "The #Jets have fired OC John Morton, source confirms (as @MMehtaNYDN reported)". @RapSheet. Retrieved January 17, 2018.

[5] "Broncos hire Lions assistant coach John Morton as their new passing game coordinator". lionswire.usatoday.com. February 27, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2024.

[6] "Lions announce offensive & defensive coordinator hires". Detroit Lions. January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.

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