Oklahoma State University has named North Texas head coach Eric Morris as the 25th head coach in program history, an appointment many analysts describe as the most pivotal move for the Cowboys in over a decade. His arrival marks the first time since 1969 that OSU has hired a sitting FBS head coach, underscoring the urgency surrounding the program’s decline.

For a team that has suffered two full seasons without a Big 12 victory, Morris represents something distinctly different: a proven system-builder with an elite offensive pedigree. With a career defined by innovation, quarterback development and dramatic turnarounds, the question now is whether his offensive blueprint can revive a program in crisis.

A Proven Program Rebuilder Arrives at a Crucial Time

Morris steps into Stillwater at a time when Oklahoma State is desperate for identity and direction. The Cowboys sit at 1–10 and 0–17 in conference play over two years, a sharp fall after the Mike Gundy era. Athletic Director Chad Weiberg made it clear that the hire signals a reset, praising Morris as a leader with a record of “building and leading winning football programs.”

During his three seasons at North Texas, Morris transformed a 5–7 team into a 10–1 contender fighting for both a conference championship and a College Football Playoff berth. This turnaround was not accidental, it was the result of a complete overhaul of offensive efficiency, roster structure, and quarterback play. North Texas produced three of its top four offensive seasons ever, setting new standards in scoring and total offense.

His ability to elevate a program rapidly offers Oklahoma State something it has lacked recently: measurable optimism.

The Offensive Architect Behind Record-Breaking Numbers

Across 13 seasons as a head coach or offensive coordinator, Morris has delivered top-tier offensive production at nearly every stop. His teams have ranked top-five nationally in passing offense nine times, top-10 in total offense ten times, and top-25 in scoring offense ten times. In 2025, UNT leads the entire FBS in scoring offense and total offense, while standing top-five in passing efficiency, first downs, turnover margin and more.

This isn’t new for Morris. He engineered the No. 1 FBS offense in 2016 at Texas Tech and the No. 1 FCS offense in 2020 at Incarnate Word. His consistent ability to build top-performing offenses makes him one of the most respected offensive strategists in the college game.

For Oklahoma State, which has struggled to generate consistent offensive production in recent seasons, Morris’ arrival signals a dramatic philosophical shift.

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Why His Quarterback Development Sets Him Apart

What truly distinguishes Morris is his uncommon ability to find and develop elite quarterbacks. He has coached, recruited or developed Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, Cam Ward, John Mateer, Chandler Morris and Drew Mestemaker, a list unmatched by most active coaches.

At North Texas, he turned Mestemaker, a former walk-on who barely played varsity football in high school, into the nation’s leading passer as a redshirt freshman. Under Morris’ direction, Mestemaker now tops the FBS in passing yards, yards per attempt, passing yards per game and stands among the top 10 nationally in touchdowns and efficiency.

This pattern of transforming undervalued prospects into national standouts is why Morris is widely viewed as a “quarterback whisperer.” For OSU, a program that must compete with offensive powerhouses across the Big 12, that skillset may be its greatest asset going forward.

A Perfect Fit for OSU’s New Era

Beyond the statistics, OSU leadership emphasizes Morris’ character, communication style and long-term approach to player development. His strong relationships with athletes and staff have been highlighted repeatedly, and his track record of steady improvement gives OSU confidence that the program is entering a new era.

With a modernized offense, a proven system-builder at the helm and renewed recruiting power, especially in Texas, Oklahoma State appears positioned for a strategic rebuild.

Whether Morris can turn the Cowboys into a contender again is the defining question. But based on his history, he arrives in Stillwater with the tools and vision to make it possible.

FAQ

1. Who is Eric Morris and why is he considered a top offensive coach?

Eric Morris is a highly respected college football coach known for building some of the most explosive offenses in the country. Across roles at Texas Tech, Incarnate Word, Washington State, North Texas and now Oklahoma State, his programs have consistently ranked in the top tiers of scoring, passing and total offense.

He is regarded as a rare “quarterback developer”, having coached or recruited elite names like Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, Cam Ward, John Mateer, Chandler Morris and Drew Mestemaker.

2. Why did Oklahoma State hire Eric Morris as head coach?

Oklahoma State hired Morris because of his proven ability to revive struggling programs, upgrade offensive production, and develop NFL-caliber quarterbacks.

With OSU suffering two seasons without a Big 12 win, the athletic department needed a coach with a track record of fast turnarounds, and Morris has delivered that everywhere he has coached.

3. What makes Eric Morris special compared to other head coaches?

Morris stands out for three reasons:

1. Elite Offensive Innovation: His teams have ranked top-10 nationally in total offense, scoring, or passing in most of his 13 years as a head coach or offensive coordinator.
2. Quarterback Whisperer Reputation: He frequently discovers and develops under-the-radar quarterbacks into national leaders, including Drew Mestemaker, a freshman walk-on who now leads the FBS in multiple categories.
3. Program Builder: Morris has rebuilt rosters rapidly, producing winning seasons and conference title contenders even after major personnel turnover.

4. How successful was Eric Morris at North Texas?

In three seasons at UNT, Morris transformed a 5-7 team into a 10-1 national contender. Under his leadership:

• UNT reached the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1959.
• His teams set school records for scoring and total offense.
• He produced three of the top four offensive seasons in program history.
• Drew Mestemaker became the nation’s leading passer as a redshirt freshman.

5. What offensive stats highlight Eric Morris’s coaching ability?

Since 2023, North Texas ranks third in the entire FBS in scoring behind Oregon and Notre Dame.
His teams have delivered:

• Top-5 passing offenses nine times
• Top-10 total offenses ten times
• Top-25 scoring offenses ten times
• No. 1 offense in the nation multiple times (FBS and FCS)

6. Did Eric Morris coach Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield?

Yes. While at Texas Tech, Morris recruited Baker Mayfield and worked directly with Patrick Mahomes, helping shape their early college careers and offensive systems.

7. Can Eric Morris turn around Oklahoma State’s offense?

Based on his track record, yes. Morris has revived every offense he has ever led, often within just one season. Oklahoma State ranked among the worst scoring teams in the Big 12, making Morris’s arrival a major strategic move for rejuvenation.

8. Will Eric Morris continue coaching North Texas this season?

Yes. Morris will finish the regular season, the AAC Championship race and potential College Football Playoff appearance before fully transitioning to Oklahoma State.

9. What was Oklahoma State’s situation before hiring Morris?

OSU was in one of its worst eras in program history:

• 1–10 overall record
• 0–17 in Big 12 play over two seasons
• Fired longtime head coach Mike Gundy after a historic collapse

The university needed a modern offensive mind, and Morris matched the profile perfectly.

10. What is Eric Morris’s career coaching record?

Morris holds a 45–33 career record, including:

• 21–15 at North Texas
• 24–18 at Incarnate Word
  He has also won multiple conference titles and has been a national semifinalist for the George Munger Coach of the Year Award.

11. What type of offense does Eric Morris run?

Morris runs an aggressive, high-tempo Air Raid–influenced offense that prioritizes explosive passing plays, spacing, quarterback autonomy, and relentless scoring pressure. It consistently ranks among the best in the country.