Oklahoma State Hires Eric Morris as New Head Coach, Replacing Mike Gundy
Oklahoma State University has officially announced the hiring of Eric Morris as its new head football coach. Morris, who previously led North Texas, brings a strong record with him, having achieved a 21-15 record since taking the helm.
About Eric Morris
At 40 years old, Morris has been a significant figure in college football, known for developing prominent quarterbacks. He coached Patrick Mahomes during his time at Texas Tech, along with Cam Ward at Incarnate Word and Washington State. Most recently, he has worked with Drew Mestemaker at North Texas, where the team’s offense has been particularly explosive.
Offensive Success at North Texas
- Current record: 21 wins and 15 losses.
- 2023 season start: 10 wins and 1 loss.
- Leading the nation with an average of 46.3 points scored per game.
- Scored 50 or more points in six games this season.
Morris has expressed his intent to finish the current season with North Texas, which is poised to compete for the American Conference championship. The team’s success is notable, especially considering its budget of approximately $2 million, which is less than many of its competitors in the conference.
Coaching Background
Morris played college football at Texas Tech under the coaching of Mike Leach from 2004 to 2008. He returned to Washington State in 2012 with Leach and later went back to Texas Tech from 2013 to 2017. Morris’s career journey includes a successful stint as head coach at Incarnate Word, where he turned the program into a top-15 team.
Transition to Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State’s decision to hire Morris follows an expected trend of targeting coaches with strong ties to Texas as they replace Mike Gundy. His offensive skills and connections to the Texas recruiting landscape make him an appealing choice.
What’s Next for North Texas?
As Morris departs to Oklahoma State, North Texas will be looking for a new head coach. Several names are already emerging as potential candidates:
- Garrett Riley – Offensive Coordinator, Clemson
- GJ Kinne – Head Coach, Texas State
- Ra’Shaad Samples – Running Backs Coach, Oregon
- Kendal Briles – Offensive Coordinator, TCU
- Jake Spavital – Offensive Coordinator, Baylor
- Shannon Dawson – Offensive Coordinator, Miami
- Keith Patterson – Head Coach, Abilene Christian
- Mack Leftwich – Offensive Coordinator, Texas Tech
- Mo Linguist – Co-Defensive Coordinator, Alabama
- Neal Brown – Special Assistant, Texas
- Skyler Cassity – Defensive Coordinator, Current
- Drew Svoboda – Special Teams Coordinator, Current
As the football landscape shifts, all eyes will be on Oklahoma State and the future of North Texas as they navigate these significant changes.
