North Caroline fires head football coach

Nic McMorris was fired Monday morning as North Caroline High’s head football coach midway through his second season.

The Bulldogs went 9-2 and reached the second round of the Class 2A East Region playoffs last year in McMorris’ first season as head coach. The team was expected to have another strong season this year, with running backs Zymear Smith and Tyson Weber, and all-Bayside Conference defensive end Owen Piavis returning.

But the Bulldogs have struggled, falling to 0-5 after last Friday night’s 43-6 loss at Queen Anne’s, their most lopsided loss of the season.

McMorris said he received a phone call Monday morning from North Caroline principal Matt Spiker, who wanted to schedule a face-to-face meeting with the head coach.

“I will say he tried to have me in the office. He tried to have a face-to-face conversation,” McMorris said Wednesday morning during a phone interview. “I wanted to have a conversation right then and there, so we talked on the phone. I was in St. Michaels, and I was like, ‘I don’t want to be thinking about this for an hour and a half.’”

McMorris said Spiker told him he was being let go as head football coach. McMorris did not say why he was let go.

Reached by phone Wednesday morning, Spiker declined to comment, referring the matter to Caroline County Public Schools public information officer Sandi Barry.

“Mr. McMorris is no longer employed by CCPS (Caroline County Public Schools), however we wish him success in future endeavors,” Barry said, reading from a statement. “As with all personnel matters, we cannot provide any further information.”

McMorris, 34, who is not a teacher, was North Caroline’s junior varsity head coach before being named offensive coordinator for the varsity for the 2022 season. When then-head coach James McCormick stepped down after 22 seasons, McMorris was named the school’s head varsity coach.

“I’m obviously disheartened and pretty upset about it,” McMorris said of the decision. “But I want the kids to go out and win on (Thursday) despite me not being there.”

McMorris said junior varsity head coach Heath Wilkins has been promoted to varsity head coach and will be on the sideline Thursday when North Caroline travels to play at James M. Bennett in Salisbury.

“I am genuinely happy for Heath Wilkins, who’s taking over,” McMorris said. “He’s a fantastic coach and literally my number two. He supported me the whole time.”

McMorris finishes with a 9-7 career record at North Caroline.

Wilkins, 49, who’s been with North Caroline’s program for more than five years, was in his third season as junior varsity head coach before his promotion. He played football at Howard High School and then played semi-pro ball for 10 years.

“It’s bittersweet,” Wilkins said of being named McMorris’ successor. “I consider Nic a friend. It’s just a bad situation, but I am excited.

“It’s a high profile position, and who wouldn’t be nervous,” Wilkins said of beginning his first varsity head coach job.