Norfolk State University’s football program recently received an injection of local talent on the coaching staff.

Former Morgan State University head coach Donald Hill-Eley, a Suffolk native, is the new offensive coordinator and receivers coach for the Spartans. Gordon “Greg” Gregory, who was born in Suffolk and raised in Richmond, is NSU’s new quarterbacks coach.

“It’s definitely a blessing to have a chance to be able to come back home and be back in your hometown and work at a place like Norfolk State with great legacy and tradition,” Hill-Eley said.

Hill-Eley was fired at Morgan State after a difficult season, finishing 5-7 overall, 5-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, tied for third. But in his 12 years as MSU head coach, Hill-Eley became the third-winningest coach in Bears history.

Norfolk State being part of the MEAC means Spartans head coach Pete Adrian coached against Hill-Eley, who noted they are friends.

“We’ve had some great contests against each other,” Hill-Eley said, with Adrian respected for his defense. “He gave me a call and said he was making some changes on offense.”

Hill-Eley had offensive success at MSU and at Hampton University, where he was an offensive coordinator.

He invited Gordon Gregory, his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at MSU last year, to join him at Norfolk State. Gregory has 30 years coaching experience at Football Championship Subdivision and Football Bowl Subdivision schools and was a quarterback as a college player.

“I’m happy to be here,” Gregory said. “If we can develop at the quarterback position and improve at all other positions, I think we have a chance to be a championship football team here.”

Hill-Eley said, “I want to be able to put one of the better offenses in the country on the field.”

The coaches join two Suffolk defensive players on the team: lineman George Riddick and linebacker T.C. Livingston.

“I’ve had a chance to meet my Suffolk guys already,” Hill-Eley said.