Staff Directory
Morita, Mike
Mike Morita
- Title:
- Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator
- Email:
- Phone:
- 610-758-4510
Mike Morita begins his third season as Lehigh’s offensive line coach and run game coordinator.
In 2024, Morita’s offensive line developed into one of the Patriot League’s most reliable positional groups. Anchored by All-America center George Padezanin and All-Patriot League linemen Langston Jones and Aidan Palmer, the Mountain Hawks led the Patriot League and ranked 12th nationally, averaging 201.9 yards per game on the ground. Lehigh’s offensive line also allowed the fewest sacks in the Patriot League with the Mountain Hawks ranking 14th nationally in sacks allowed. Tackle Christian Curatolo, guard Austin Huff and first-year linemen Sammy Ayache and Colby Reph were all key contributors to Lehigh’s offensive success.
In his first season, Morita’s offensive line improved as the season progressed. The Mountain Hawks rushed for more than 100 yards in their final seven games of the season, while also leading the Patriot League in fewest sacks allowed.
Morita came to Lehigh following a five-year stint at Virginia Union University in Richmond, where he coached the offensive line and later added the titles of offensive coordinator and last season, associate head coach.
In the 2022 season, Morita’s offense helped running back Jada Byers to All-America honors and the Don Hansen Division II Offensive Player of the Year Award. Byers rushed for a nation-best and CIAA record 1,920 yards last season and was a finalist for the Harlan Hill Award, given to the top player in Division II.
Morita mentored eight All-CIAA offensive linemen during his time at Virginia Union and oversaw an offense that ranked fifth in the nation, averaging 40.5 points per game in 2022. Virginia Union led the CIAA in both rushing touchdowns (33) and passing touchdowns (22) last season. The 2022 success followed a 2021 campaign in which Morita was recognized as the AFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year.
In the summer of 2019, Morita was selected to participate in the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Tennessee Titans, working with the offensive line.
Morita came to Virginia Union following three seasons at Vanderbilt, where he served as an offensive quality control coach, working with the offensive line and then the tight ends. At Vanderbilt, Morita worked with two offensive linemen that went on to become NFL starters as well as a freshman All-SEC tight end.
Prior to his stint at Vanderbilt, Morita spent eight seasons at the University at Albany coaching under the legendary Bob Ford. Coaching the offensive line over his final seven seasons, Morita was on the staff for four NEC championship teams (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012) and mentored offensive lines that paved the way for the top three rushers in school history. Morita’s offensive lines produced three All-Americans and numerous all-conference members.
Morita also has college experience as an offensive coordinator at Shaw University (2004-05), tight ends coach at Bucknell (2000-03), and offensive line coach at Santa Barbara (Calif.) City College (2003).
Morita earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Idaho State University in 1998, where he played running back, and added a master's in education from Bucknell in 2004. He is and his wife Ashley have two daughters, Madison and Ayla.
In 2024, Morita’s offensive line developed into one of the Patriot League’s most reliable positional groups. Anchored by All-America center George Padezanin and All-Patriot League linemen Langston Jones and Aidan Palmer, the Mountain Hawks led the Patriot League and ranked 12th nationally, averaging 201.9 yards per game on the ground. Lehigh’s offensive line also allowed the fewest sacks in the Patriot League with the Mountain Hawks ranking 14th nationally in sacks allowed. Tackle Christian Curatolo, guard Austin Huff and first-year linemen Sammy Ayache and Colby Reph were all key contributors to Lehigh’s offensive success.
In his first season, Morita’s offensive line improved as the season progressed. The Mountain Hawks rushed for more than 100 yards in their final seven games of the season, while also leading the Patriot League in fewest sacks allowed.
Morita came to Lehigh following a five-year stint at Virginia Union University in Richmond, where he coached the offensive line and later added the titles of offensive coordinator and last season, associate head coach.
In the 2022 season, Morita’s offense helped running back Jada Byers to All-America honors and the Don Hansen Division II Offensive Player of the Year Award. Byers rushed for a nation-best and CIAA record 1,920 yards last season and was a finalist for the Harlan Hill Award, given to the top player in Division II.
Morita mentored eight All-CIAA offensive linemen during his time at Virginia Union and oversaw an offense that ranked fifth in the nation, averaging 40.5 points per game in 2022. Virginia Union led the CIAA in both rushing touchdowns (33) and passing touchdowns (22) last season. The 2022 success followed a 2021 campaign in which Morita was recognized as the AFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year.
In the summer of 2019, Morita was selected to participate in the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Tennessee Titans, working with the offensive line.
Morita came to Virginia Union following three seasons at Vanderbilt, where he served as an offensive quality control coach, working with the offensive line and then the tight ends. At Vanderbilt, Morita worked with two offensive linemen that went on to become NFL starters as well as a freshman All-SEC tight end.
Prior to his stint at Vanderbilt, Morita spent eight seasons at the University at Albany coaching under the legendary Bob Ford. Coaching the offensive line over his final seven seasons, Morita was on the staff for four NEC championship teams (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012) and mentored offensive lines that paved the way for the top three rushers in school history. Morita’s offensive lines produced three All-Americans and numerous all-conference members.
Morita also has college experience as an offensive coordinator at Shaw University (2004-05), tight ends coach at Bucknell (2000-03), and offensive line coach at Santa Barbara (Calif.) City College (2003).
Morita earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Idaho State University in 1998, where he played running back, and added a master's in education from Bucknell in 2004. He is and his wife Ashley have two daughters, Madison and Ayla.
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