Oklahoma State hires Eric Morris: North Texas coach will replace long-tenured Mike Gundy
Morris has led North Texas to a 10-1 record this season and is 21-15 during his time with the program
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Oklahoma State is hiring North Texas coach Eric Morris as the man to replace for Mike Gundy in Stillwater, the school announced Tuesday.
Morris has gone 21-15 in his three seasons in Denton, with the Mean Green enjoying their best season in years in 2025, going 10-1 so far with a legitimate shot at the College Football Playoff. Morris is expected to finish out the season with North Texas, including coaching the American title game and a potential College Football Playoff visit if the Mean Green finish as the top Group of Five team in the country.
Oklahoma State is hoping Morris can lead a turnaround for one of the worst Power Four teams in the country this season. The Pokes are one of two Power Four teams that is without a win against FBS competition this year (along with Boston College) and are 1-10 going into their regular season finale.
Morris replaces school legend Mike Gundy, who was fired earlier this year. One of his primary tasks will be modernizing how Oklahoma State operates in the NIL space and transfer portal after the program lagged behind in both areas under Gundy.
"Today begins the next era of Oklahoma State Football," Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg said in a statement released by the school. "I am thrilled to introduce Eric Morris, his wife Maggie and their boys Jack and George to the OSU Family. Coach Morris has proven his ability to build and lead winning football programs. He has consistently identified, recruited, and developed some of the best players in college football."
Morris' track record with quarterbacks in particular makes him an appealing hire for the Cowboys. He was Texas Tech's offensive coordinator during Patrick Mahomes' time in Lubbock, and he coached Cam Ward at Incarnate Word before bringing him to Washington State for the 2022 season.
This year, Morris has overseen another breakout star in Drew Mestemaker. The redshirt freshman leads all FBS quarterbacks with 3,469 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Oklahoma State fans will hope Mestemaker follows Morris from Denton to Stillwater and immediately upgrades the Cowboys' quarterback room.
North Texas boasts one of the best offenses in the country. They lead the nation in points per drive (3.88) and yards per play (7.4) and are third in the nation in success rate (55.1%). Oklahoma State, by comparison, averages just 1.02 points per drive, 4.6 yards per play and has a 37.6% success rate on offense this season.
Recent seasons have shown hiring a top Group of Five coach can spark a quick turnaround -- especially if that coach brings key players with him. Curt Cignetti's move from James Madison to Indiana is the clearest example, as several Dukes followed him to Bloomington. Given North Texas' success this season, particularly on offense, Oklahoma State could lean on a similar blueprint with Morris and allow him to hit the ground running with a core that already knows his system.
