On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Oklahoma State University officially named Eric Morris as its next head football coach — a move that signals a bold reset for a program reeling from its worst season in decades. The announcement, made public through the university’s social media channels with the simple yet powerful message, "Eric Morris, Welcome to Cowboy Country," comes just two months after the surprising dismissal of Mike Gundy, who had led the Cowboys for 21 seasons. Morris, 40, currently coaches the University of North Texas Mean Green and will join Stillwater, Oklahoma after his team’s postseason run concludes. The hire is pending formal approval by the university’s board of directors — a formality, insiders say, given the overwhelming momentum behind the decision.
A Program in Need of a Reset
Since Mike Gundy was fired in September 2025, Oklahoma State University football has been adrift. Under interim coach Doug Meacham, the Cowboys went 0-8, finishing the season at 1-10 — their worst record since 2001. Fans, once proud of consistent top-25 finishes, now face the reality of a program that lost its identity. Gundy, who built Oklahoma State into a Big 12 powerhouse over two decades, was fired not for lack of effort, but for stagnation. The offense grew predictable. Recruiting stalled. The defense, once a strength, became a liability. And with no clear successor in sight, the university acted decisively — even if it meant pulling a coach from a rival school mid-season.
Eric Morris: The Offense Architect
What makes Morris so compelling isn’t just his record — though it’s impressive — it’s his pedigree. In his first season at University of North Texas in 2023, Morris inherited a 3-9 team. By 2024-2025, he turned them into a 10-1 powerhouse, ranked No. 21 in the AP Top 25 — the program’s first appearance in the national rankings since 1959. More than that, North Texas leads the entire Football Bowl Subdivision in scoring offense (46 points per game) and total offense. How? Through a high-octane, Air Raid-inspired attack rooted in the same principles that once made Mike Leach a legend at Texas Tech.
Morris didn’t just inherit talent — he created it. His quarterback development is the stuff of coaching lore. He coached, recruited, or developed Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech, Baker Mayfield at Oklahoma, and now, Drew Mestemaker, a redshirt freshman walk-on who leads the FBS in passing yards this season. That’s not luck. That’s a system. And it’s exactly what Oklahoma State needs.
Why This Hire Makes Sense
It’s not just about offense. It’s about fit. Morris played college ball at Oklahoma State University — yes, the same one — as a walk-on quarterback in the early 2000s. He knows the culture. He understands the expectations. He’s lived the rivalry with Iowa State University, which Oklahoma State faces in its season finale on November 30, 2025. And he’s worked in the Big 12 long enough to know how to recruit in Texas, Oklahoma, and beyond.
"For many reasons, including the kind of person he is and the lasting relationships he builds with his players, Coach Morris is the perfect fit," said Chad Weiberg, Oklahoma State’s athletic director. "The future is bright for OSU Football."
Meanwhile, Jared Mosley, North Texas’s athletic director, praised Morris’s impact: "We’re grateful for everything he’s done for Mean Green Football." That’s not just politeness — it’s truth. Morris turned a program that hadn’t won 10 games in 15 years into a conference title contender. He’s not just a coach. He’s a builder.
The Road Ahead
North Texas, still playing for a conference championship and possible College Football Playoff berth, will finish their season under Morris. That means Oklahoma State’s new coach won’t step onto the field in Stillwater until January — but his work begins now. He’s already been meeting with recruits. He’s studying film of the Cowboys’ opponents. He’s talking to former players who still remember Gundy’s glory days — and who now wonder if the magic can return.
The timing is risky. Bringing in a coach mid-cycle, after a 1-10 season, means he inherits a roster with holes. But Morris doesn’t need a full rebuild. He needs a spark. And with his offensive system, he can turn a struggling quarterback into a star — maybe even faster than anyone expects.
What This Means for the Big 12
The Big 12 is changing. Texas and Oklahoma are gone. New teams are rising. Kansas State, TCU, and now North Texas are proving that innovation can trump tradition. Oklahoma State, long a middle-of-the-pack contender, now has a chance to lead that charge. Morris’s hiring isn’t just about replacing Gundy — it’s about redefining what Cowboy football can be. No more conservative play-calling. No more waiting for the other team to make a mistake. This is a team that’s going to score first, score often, and never look back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Mike Gundy fired after 21 seasons?
Despite building Oklahoma State into a consistent winner, Gundy’s offense became stagnant by 2025. The team ranked outside the top 50 nationally in scoring, recruiting had declined, and the defense consistently underperformed. After a 1-5 start to the 2025 season, the administration concluded a change was necessary to remain competitive in the evolving Big 12.
How has Eric Morris improved North Texas so quickly?
Morris implemented a fast-paced, pass-heavy Air Raid offense that maximized player talent. He prioritized quarterback development and recruited high-upside athletes who fit his system. The result: North Texas jumped from 5-7 in 2023 to 10-1 in 2024-2025, leading the FBS in scoring and total offense — and earning its first AP Top 25 ranking since 1959.
What impact will Morris have on Oklahoma State’s recruiting?
Morris’s track record with quarterbacks — including Mahomes and Mayfield — gives him instant credibility. Texas and Oklahoma high school coaches already respect him. Expect a surge in interest from dual-threat QBs and explosive skill players, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth corridor, where North Texas’s success has already opened doors.
Will Morris stay long-term at Oklahoma State?
His ties to the program — he played there — and his proven ability to build from scratch suggest he’s in it for the long haul. Unlike many coaches who treat OSU as a stepping stone, Morris sees it as a homecoming. With strong administrative support and a clear offensive vision, he’s likely to become the next defining coach in Stillwater.
How does Morris’s offense compare to Mike Gundy’s?
Gundy’s offense was balanced and run-heavy, relying on power football and field position. Morris’s is explosive, pass-first, and designed to score quickly — often from unconventional formations. Where Gundy wanted to control the clock, Morris wants to overwhelm it. The difference is night and day — and for a team that scored just 18.7 points per game in 2025, it’s exactly what’s needed.
When will Eric Morris officially start at Oklahoma State?
Morris will remain at North Texas through their postseason, which could extend into early January if they reach a New Year’s Six bowl or the College Football Playoff. He’s expected to begin full-time duties at Oklahoma State in mid-January 2026, ahead of spring practice, giving him time to restructure the coaching staff and recruit before summer.
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