Eric Morris Hired as Oklahoma State’s 25th Head Football Coach
On November 25, 2025, Oklahoma State University stunned the college football world by naming Eric Morris its 25th head football coach — a move that breaks a 56-year precedent and signals a bold new direction for a program hungry for revival. The announcement, made by Oklahoma State Athletics Director Chad Weiberg in Stillwater, Oklahoma, marks the first time since 1969 that OSU has hired a sitting head coach from another Football Bowl Subdivision school. And it’s the first time ever they’ve poached a head coach from outside their own conference. The twist? Morris was still leading North Texas to a 10-1 season, with playoff hopes still alive. He didn’t just show up — he was winning, big time.
A Coach Who Turns Programs Around
Turns out, Morris doesn’t rebuild teams — he redefines them. When he took over North Texas in 2023, the Mean Green were coming off a 5-7 season. By 2025, they were 10-1, ranked in the top 25, and on the cusp of an American Athletic Conference title. That’s not luck. That’s methodology. In his first year, Morris developed one of only four offenses in the entire FBS to feature a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher, and a 1,000-yard receiver — all on a roster that added 77 new players in 12 months. He didn’t just recruit; he reshaped identity.His 2024 season was equally remarkable. Despite the turnover, North Texas started 5-1 — their best start since 1967 — and played in their 15th bowl game in program history. Three of the top four offensive seasons in Mean Green history came under Morris. That’s not a fluke. That’s a blueprint.
Why Stillwater Chose Him
It wasn’t just the stats. It was the context. After Mike Gundy — who had led OSU since 2005 — stepped down, interim coach Doug Meechum held the reins. But the administration knew they needed more than stability. They needed momentum. Morris, who had previously turned University of the Incarnate Word into a top-15 FCS program before becoming Washington State’s offensive coordinator in 2022, had already proven he could elevate programs with little pedigree. And he did it fast.
His Texas roots were a silent advantage. Recruiting in the Lone Star State — where high school talent is abundant and fiercely competitive — is a skill. Morris built relationships across Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. For Oklahoma State, which often loses top Texas recruits to bigger names like Texas, Texas A&M, or even TCU, landing a coach with those connections was like finding a key to a locked vault.
A Coaching Market in Motion
The timing couldn’t have been more dramatic. Just days before Morris’s hiring, James Franklin’s move to Virginia Tech sent shockwaves through the Power Four. Then came Oklahoma State’s announcement — another domino falling in what’s become the most volatile coaching carousel in recent memory. According to a YouTube analysis by Scott Fisher, Morris had been on the radar of UCLA and Arkansas too. He wasn’t a desperate candidate. He was the prize.
What makes this different from past hires? Most schools wait for coaches to be fired or to finish their seasons. OSU didn’t. They moved while Morris was in the middle of his best season. That’s aggressive. That’s confident. That’s the kind of move that tells recruits, boosters, and rivals: Oklahoma State isn’t just looking to compete. They’re looking to dominate.
What Comes Next
Board approval is still pending, but insiders say it’s a formality. Morris is expected to officially sign by December 1. His first task? Rebuilding trust with a fanbase that’s seen too many coaching changes since Gundy’s departure. His second? Recruiting the 2026 class — and fast. With early signing period looming, he’ll need to hit the road immediately. And he’ll likely bring at least three assistants from North Texas, sources say.
Defensively, OSU ranked 98th nationally in 2024. That’s a problem. But Morris has never been a defensive guy. He’s an offensive architect. So the question isn’t whether he’ll fix the offense — he already has, repeatedly. It’s whether OSU will hire a defensive coordinator who can match his pace. The answer might come before Christmas.
The Bigger Picture
This hire isn’t just about X’s and O’s. It’s about culture. For too long, Oklahoma State has been seen as a program that plays good football but rarely plays for the biggest stakes. Morris changes that. He’s won in FCS. He’s won in the AAC. He’s won with limited resources. He’s won with new players. He’s won while others were losing.
And now, he’s walking into a program with a 120-year legacy — and a fanbase that’s tired of waiting. The Cowboys haven’t played in a New Year’s Six bowl since 2011. They haven’t won a Big 12 title since 2012. Morris doesn’t care about history. He cares about what’s next. And if he can bring even half the energy he brought to Denton, Stillwater might not just be back on the map.
It’s not just a new coach. It’s a new era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is hiring a sitting FBS head coach such a big deal for Oklahoma State?
Oklahoma State hadn’t hired a sitting head coach from another FBS program since 1969 — a 56-year gap. Most schools wait for coaches to be fired or to finish their contracts. By poaching Eric Morris mid-season while he was leading North Texas to a 10-1 record, OSU signaled they were done playing it safe. This is a high-risk, high-reward move rarely seen outside of elite programs like Alabama or Ohio State.
What makes Eric Morris’s offensive system so effective?
Morris’s offense thrives on tempo, versatility, and player development. In 2023, he built one of only four FBS offenses with a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher, and 1,000-yard receiver — all on a roster that added 77 new players. He doesn’t rely on star recruits; he elevates role players into playmakers. His systems are adaptable, allowing quarterbacks to thrive even if they weren’t five-star prospects.
How will Morris’s Texas connections impact Oklahoma State recruiting?
Texas produces more high school football talent than any other state, and Morris has deep relationships there from his time at Incarnate Word and North Texas. He’s already recruited players from Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio who now start at UNT. For OSU, which has struggled to compete with Texas and Texas A&M for top Texas recruits, this could be the breakthrough. Expect a surge in Texas talent in the 2026 and 2027 classes.
What’s the biggest challenge Morris faces at Oklahoma State?
The defense. OSU ranked 98th nationally in total defense in 2024. Morris has no history as a defensive coordinator. His success hinges on hiring a defensive-minded coordinator who can match his offensive tempo. If he brings in someone like former TCU assistant Tim DeRuyter — or promotes from within — the Cowboys could become a complete team. If not, they’ll be explosive offensively but vulnerable late in games.
Is this hire connected to Mike Gundy’s departure?
Yes, but indirectly. Gundy’s departure created a vacuum, and interim coach Doug Meechum kept things stable. But OSU’s administration wanted more than continuity — they wanted transformation. Morris represents a generational shift: younger, more aggressive, and built for the modern college football landscape. He’s not Gundy 2.0. He’s something entirely new for Stillwater.
When will Eric Morris officially start at Oklahoma State?
Board approval is expected by December 1, 2025, after which he’ll sign his contract. He’ll begin his duties immediately, with early signing period beginning December 18. Morris will likely leave North Texas after their final regular-season game on December 6, and begin assembling his staff in the following days. His first spring practice with the Cowboys is scheduled for March 2026.
