On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Oklahoma State University Athletics stunned the college football world by naming Eric Morris its 25th head football coach — a move that marks the first time in school history the Cowboys have hired a sitting head coach from a Football Bowl Subdivision program. The announcement, made by Chad Weiberg, the school’s athletic director, came just hours after North Texas clinched its best season ever: 10-1, with a legitimate shot at the College Football Playoff as the top Group of Five team. Morris, who’s led the Mean Green since 2023, will stay in Denton through the American Athletic Conference title game and any playoff appearance before officially moving to Stillwater.
A Coaching Tree That Shaped NFL Stars
Morris isn’t just a winning coach — he’s a quarterback whisperer. Over his seven-year head coaching career, he’s developed or recruited a who’s who of college and NFL signal-callers: Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, Cam Ward, and even Chandler Morris — his own son. His offensive schemes, honed during stints at Texas Tech and Washington State, emphasize tempo, creativity, and player empowerment. That’s exactly what Oklahoma State needs after a disastrous 1-10 season under Mike Gundy, the program’s longtime architect who was fired earlier in 2025 after 17 seasons.
What makes this hire so unusual? Nothing like it had ever happened at OSU. Since 1969, the Cowboys had always promoted from within or hired assistants. Now, they’re betting big on a man who just turned a mid-tier FBS program into a national contender. And he did it without a massive budget — a sign that culture, not cash, is his superpower.
The NIL Factor: A New Era Begins
Behind the numbers, there’s a deeper story. Oklahoma State’s football program had become a poster child for stagnation in the Name, Image, and Likeness era. While rivals like Texas and Oklahoma were locking in elite transfers and offering six-figure NIL deals, OSU lagged — badly. Players left. Recruits looked elsewhere. Gundy’s reluctance to adapt cost the Cowboys dearly.
Morris, by contrast, has built his program on relationships — and NIL leverage. At North Texas, he didn’t just recruit talent; he connected players with local businesses, alumni networks, and digital platforms. His quarterbacks didn’t just play — they became brand ambassadors. Shehan Jeyarajah, CBS Sports’ national college football analyst, put it bluntly on YouTube: “I absolutely love the hire. The second Gundy was fired, I thought Morris would be perfect. He doesn’t just coach — he builds ecosystems.”
But there’s a catch. Jeyarajah also warned: “Drew Mestemaker and some of the stars will follow him. You can’t sell this decision twice. You tried to say ‘we’re revamping everything’ in 2023 — now you’re actually doing it. But the players who stayed? They’ll wonder why they didn’t get the same shot.”
The Transition: Patience, Not Panic
Here’s the twist: Morris won’t walk into the OSU locker room until after North Texas’s postseason run. That means he’ll coach the Mean Green in their AAC title game — likely in early December — and possibly even in the College Football Playoff if they sneak in. It’s a rare, almost unprecedented pause in coaching transitions, but one that shows respect for both programs.
Meanwhile, North Texas has already begun its search for a successor. Sources say they’re eyeing coordinators from the Sun Belt and Mountain West, but no one has Morris’s track record of turning overlooked recruits into stars. The school is bracing for a talent drain — but they knew this was coming. They’ve been preparing for his departure since September.
At OSU, the focus is on rebuilding trust. The Cowboys finished 2025 with the worst win percentage among Power Four teams. Only Boston College was worse. Fans are tired of excuses. They want a coach who shows up early, stays late, and treats every player like family — not a commodity.
What Comes Next?
Morris’s official introduction is still pending, but insiders say a press conference will happen after the AAC Championship. His first task? Rebuilding the roster. OSU’s transfer portal exits in 2025 were among the highest in the Big 12. He’ll need to lock in key returners — especially offensive linemen and defensive backs — while aggressively pursuing transfers who fit his system.
He’ll also inherit a staff that’s been underfunded and demoralized. Weiberg has promised “full autonomy” over coaching hires and budget allocations — a signal that OSU is done playing it safe. Morris’s first coaching staff could include former Texas Tech assistants and even a few former players he mentored.
The clock is ticking. The 2026 recruiting class is already signing. The transfer portal opens in January. If Morris doesn’t make noise fast, the momentum could vanish.
Why This Matters Beyond Stillwater
This hire isn’t just about Oklahoma State. It’s a statement to the entire Power Four: Winning doesn’t require tradition — it requires vision. The days of hiring safe, familiar names are over. The future belongs to coaches who can adapt, connect, and elevate programs that have been left behind.
Eric Morris didn’t come from a blue blood. He came from San Antonio, then Denton — places where resources are tight and expectations are low. And yet, he turned both into contenders. Now, he’s taking that same blueprint to a place that once dominated college football.
It’s not a rebuild. It’s a revolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is hiring a sitting FBS head coach such a big deal for Oklahoma State?
Oklahoma State had never hired a head coach from another FBS program while they were still employed — not since 1969. Historically, they promoted assistants or hired coordinators. Bringing in Eric Morris, who’s actively coaching North Texas to a potential playoff berth, signals a radical shift: OSU is prioritizing proven success over loyalty or tradition.
How will Eric Morris impact Oklahoma State’s NIL and transfer portal strategy?
Morris built his reputation at North Texas by empowering players to leverage NIL opportunities through local business partnerships and digital branding. At OSU, he’ll likely overhaul the NIL infrastructure, hiring dedicated staff and creating a centralized platform — something the program lacked under Mike Gundy. Expect immediate movement in the transfer portal, especially among quarterbacks and skill players.
Which players are likely to follow Eric Morris to Oklahoma State?
Drew Mestemaker, North Texas’s starting quarterback, is the biggest name expected to transfer. Morris has also developed Cam Ward and Chandler Morris — both of whom could follow if they’re eligible. Offensive linemen and receivers who thrived under his system are also likely to transfer, especially if OSU offers better NIL deals than North Texas can match.
What’s the timeline for Morris’s official start at OSU?
Morris will remain with North Texas through their 2025 postseason — including the AAC Championship (scheduled for December 6) and any College Football Playoff game they qualify for. His official transition to OSU is expected no earlier than December 15, with his first press conference likely in late December after the bowl season concludes.
How does Morris’s coaching record compare to Mike Gundy’s at the same stage?
At the same point in their careers — seven seasons as a head coach — Morris has a 45-33 record (.577 win rate), while Gundy was 43-35 (.551) after seven seasons at OSU. But Morris’s recent success — a 10-1 season with playoff aspirations — far outpaces Gundy’s final years, where OSU went 4-8, 5-7, and 1-10. Morris brings momentum; Gundy’s program was in freefall.
What’s the biggest risk in hiring Eric Morris?
The biggest risk? Losing key players who stayed loyal during OSU’s rough patch. If Morris brings in too many transfers too fast, he might alienate the core of the current roster. Plus, if North Texas makes the playoff, OSU’s entire offseason planning could be delayed — leaving the team underprepared for spring practice. Timing is everything.
