Lamar Morgan has come a far way in his coaching career.

He has quickly worked his way through the ranks and has been elevated in the national set-up.

So fast, yet steady has his rise to prominence over the past few years been that even he is surprised by how significantly he has grown in the profession, after first being introduced to the national coaching staff in 2014 when he was named assistant coach of the national Under-15 team.

But he has since transitioned to the physical trainer post of the senior Reggae Boyz programme — a position once occupied by his mentor Andre Waugh, who is now the Caribbean development manager for CONCACAF.

Prior to that, Morgan was a little-known coach at Dunoon, Technical High School who like many others, had taken up the profession after injury cut his time short as a player.

Morgan first plied his trade in the game at Rockfort Football Club and Cavalier Soccer Club’s senior team, before heading to the sideline in 2008 when he completed his diploma studies at G C Foster College to go with his Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Advanced Level I and II certifications.

From there he learnt the tricks of the trade in mastering the craft, which has led him to his current path of success and recognition.

“Honestly, it is a bit surprising that my career is growing or has grown this fast as someone that started out as a part-time physical education teacher, but nothing beats work,” Morgan told the Jamaica Observer.

“I have really worked hard over the years and I think I deserve to be where I am at right now, having consistently put in all the work from I started until now,” he added in a recent interview.

“So, yes, my career has grown at a rapid pace, but for me the sky is the limit. And it is also having a positive impact because, mentally, I had prepared myself to go through the respective channels to ensure that I get to where I want to,” he added.

Morgan’s latest foray in the profession came last year when he was selected by the JFF to complete a six-month Diploma in Sports Management course in Germany.

During his tenure on the European continent, Morgan, who was the only Jamaican and Caribbean representative of the 66 participants from 34 countries, also completed certificate courses in project management, sports finance, and German as a foreign language.

A firm believer in the Jamaican mantra ‘If yuh waan good you nose affi run’, Morgan did not think twice to resign from his teaching duties at Tarrant High School to take up the opportunity.

He noted that the knowledge garnered from the experience in Germany will assist in his endeavours on the local platform.

“It was a really good experience; I learnt a lot in terms of management structure — how you manage a club and how you conduct yourself as a manager basically. The culture is probably similar to here, so I adapted quite well, but the language was a problem until we had German classes so we could communicate a little.

“Hats off to the JFF for affording me this experience so that I can gain more knowledge, so thumbs up to them for having the confidence in me to give me that opportunity after Andre Waugh left,” Morgan shared shortly after returning the island recently.

With his love for the game being unquestionable, Morgan was quick to point out that his time at G C Foster has enhanced his development both as a coach and otherwise.

As part of his contract with the JFF as head physical trainer, Morgan also has the privilege of working with the youth teams, a task he relishes given his experience when it comes to dealing with youth players.

The 34-year-old has had numerous successes during his earlier years as coach of Cavalier’s Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 teams, winning all of 14 titles between 2009 and 2012. He was also coach of the Under-20 team.

“Coaching is more than just imparting skills to the youth. The technical part has to be developed properly and also the physical strength and understanding as well. So whichever team is preparing for competition, I lend my experience there,” he pointed out.

While hard work and determination remains at the core of his accomplishments, Morgan praised several individuals who have also made an important contribution to his rise and success.

Rudolph Speid, Paul Maxwell, Altimont “Freddie” Butler, Ricardo “Bibi” Gardner, Omar Edwards, Andre Waugh, and Davion Ferguson are the people he hailed for helping to shape a coaching career that continues to take on added promise.

“So it is just work continued and I am happy for these opportunities and JFF. I think it is only right for me to mention those people who have always had the confidence in me and have assisted me along the way, so I really have to lift my hat off to them,” Morgan, who also holds a sport pedagogy and psychology certificate, ended.