Morton hired a familiar face to coach its football team. Meet him here
Morton High School announced Adam O'Neill as its newest head football coach on Thursday morning.
O'Neill spent the last five seasons at Manhattan (Kan.) High School as the defensive coordinator, previously serving in the same position at Peoria High and Woodruff under Tim Thornton. O'Neill will also lead the Morton strength and conditioning program, as well as teach physical education.
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"His proven leadership on the field and in the classroom make him a perfect fit to help our students be their best," Morton athletics director Scott Jones said in a release.
The Potters filled the vacancy left by Tim Brilley, who resigned after seven seasons with 40 victories and a program-best 10-3 record during a run to the 2021 Class 5A semifinals. Brilley has since accepted the run game coordinator job at Maroa-Forsyth where he and his family reside.
O'Neill was the defensive architect of Peoria High's 2016 Class 5A state championship team. The Lions squad forced three turnovers — two interceptions and one fumble — in the 62-48 title game victory over Vernon Hills with 31 (18 interceptions and 13 fumbles) takeaways on the season.
After the 2017 season, O'Neill and his family moved to Manhattan, Kan. following his wife, Stephanie, receiving a promotion within Caterpillar Inc. He was then the defensive coordinator for Manhattan, helping guide them to the 2022 Class 6A state championship in a 21-20 double-overtime victory.
Morton went 4-5 last season, sending a pair of players in Ian Mutchler (South Dakota State) and Jack Stump (Lindenwood University) to the Division-I Football Championship Subdivision level. Five all-Mid-Illini Conference players graduate for the Potters, who finished 3-4 for fifth place in league play.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA football: Morton hires former Peoria High assistant Adam O'Neill
