Oklahoma State University has officially appointed Eric Morris, the head coach of North Texas, as its new football coach. The announcement was made on Tuesday, confirming earlier reports from notable sports outlets. Specific details regarding his contract have yet to be disclosed.
Chad Weiberg, the athletic director of Oklahoma State, expressed his excitement about the hiring, stating, “Today begins the next era of Oklahoma State Football. I am thrilled to introduce Eric Morris, his wife Maggie, and their boys Jack and George to the OSU Family.” Weiberg highlighted Morris’s successful track record in building and leading competitive football programs, emphasizing his talent for identifying and developing top collegiate players.
The 40-year-old Morris has spent three seasons with North Texas, achieving a remarkable 10-1 record this season after finishing 5-7 and 6-7 in his first two years. His leadership has positioned North Texas as a strong contender for the College Football Playoff, being the highest-ranked Group of Five team.
Morris has transformed North Texas into an offensive juggernaut, leading the nation with an impressive average of 46.3 points per game and 503.3 yards of offense. Oklahoma State is optimistic that Morris can replicate this success and instill a powerful offensive strategy within their program.
Current reports indicate that if North Texas qualifies for the American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship game and the College Football Playoff, Morris may continue coaching there until their run concludes. This situation would mark a notable precedent, as he would be the first coach in the CFP era to hold another college coaching position simultaneously.
Before his tenure at North Texas, Morris served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Washington State, where he played a vital role in the development of standout quarterback Cam Ward. Additionally, he has coaching experience with NFL star Patrick Mahomes during his time at Texas Tech, further solidifying his credentials.
Morris replaces Doug Meacham as Oklahoma State’s interim head coach, following the dismissal of Mike Gundy, who was let go after a 1-2 start to the season. Gundy had a longstanding career at Oklahoma State, coaching for 21 seasons since 2005.
Morris faces the challenge of rejuvenating a program that has struggled recently, suffering ten consecutive losses and sitting at the bottom of the Big 12 standings with a record of 1-10. Oklahoma State aims to return to its competitive stature within the conference after experiencing consecutive losing seasons, a stark contrast to the winning records they enjoyed under Gundy.
With the potential for growth and revitalization, fans and stakeholders at Oklahoma State are hopeful that Morris will lead the program toward a more promising future. His proven coaching ability and offensive prowess might pave the way for a resurgence in Oaklahoma State football.