Oklahoma State University is reportedly set to hire Eric Morris, the current head coach of North Texas, to take the reins after the departure of Mike Gundy. Morris, who has led the Mean Green to a commendable 21-15 record over the past three seasons, has found considerable success this year, guiding his team to a strong 10-1 start and positioning them for a shot at the College Football Playoff.
As the season unfolds, Morris is expected to complete his commitments at North Texas, including the American Athletic Conference championship game and potentially a playoff appearance if the Mean Green can maintain their status as the top Group of Five team nationally.
Morris steps into a critical role at Oklahoma State, which is facing challenges this season as one of the two Power Five programs without a victory against FBS competition, holding a 1-10 record heading into their season finale. His main objective will be to revitalize a struggling program and modernize its approach to name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities and the transfer portal, areas where Oklahoma State has lagged under Gundy.
Morris’ history with quarterbacks makes him an attractive option for the Cowboys. He was instrumental as Texas Tech’s offensive coordinator during Patrick Mahomes’ tenure and has also developed Cam Ward at Incarnate Word and Washington State. This season, he has worked with standout Drew Mestemaker, who leads all FBS quarterbacks with impressive stats: 3,469 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and merely four interceptions. Many Oklahoma State fans will be eager to see if Mestemaker follows Morris to Stillwater, potentially enhancing the Cowboys’ quarterback lineup.
Recent trends in college football have demonstrated that hiring successful Group of Five coaches can lead to rapid improvements, especially if they are able to bring talented players along. The example of Curt Cignetti transitioning from James Madison to Indiana, where he brought several key players with him, provides a blueprint that Oklahoma State could look to replicate as they aim for a swift turnaround under Morris’ leadership.
This potential coaching change at Oklahoma State is met with enthusiasm, as Morris’ track record and offensive acumen could revitalize the program, spotlighting the hope for a competitive future in college football.