Get to know Oklahoma State’s new football head coach, Eric Morris
STILLWATER, Okla. —
Tuesday signals a fresh start for Cowboy Football, Oklahoma State University announced on November 25, 2025, that Eric Morris has been hired as the program’s 25th head coach. Coming off a challenging stretch that saw the Cowboys post a 1-10 record in this recent season, Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg praised Morris for his proven track record in building winning programs and developing elite talent. This hire marks the first time since 1969 that Oklahoma State has brought in a sitting FBS head coach, and it’s a homecoming of sorts for Morris, who has deep Texas roots and a history of offensive innovation. But who is Eric Morris, and what does his arrival mean for Stillwater? Let’s dive into his background, style, achievements, and the future he could shape for the Cowboys.
Early Life and Playing Career
Eric Morris is from Shallowater, Texas, a small town that helped him build the grit and work ethic that defines his approach to football. As a high school standout at Shallowater High, he earned the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal All-South Plains Super Team Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2003, showcasing his versatility as a playmaker.
Morris took his talents to Texas Tech University, where he played wide receiver from 2005 to 2008 under legendary coach Mike Leach. During his Red Raider days, he emerged as a reliable target and special teams contributor, earning All-Big 12 recognition as a punt returner in his senior year. He also excelled academically, landing on the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 first team. Morris graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications studies in 2008.
After college, he briefly pursued a professional career, playing in the Canadian Football League in 2009. Though his playing days were short lived, they provided insights into the game that would fuel his rise in coaching.
Coaching Journey
Morris’s coaching career began in 2010 as an offensive graduate assistant at the University of Houston, where he advanced to offensive quality control assistant in 2011. His break came in 2012 when he reunited with Mike Leach at Washington State, serving as inside receivers coach.
From 2013 to 2017, Morris returned to his alma mater, Texas Tech, as offensive coordinator and inside wide receivers coach. This period was huge, as he helped build one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. The Red Raiders ranked in the top 16 for total offense each year, leading the FBS in 2016 with 564.4 yards per game. Notably, Morris played a key role in recruiting and developing quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield, both of whom went on to NFL. Need I say more about those two?
In 2018, Morris stepped into his first head coaching role at Incarnate Word (UIW), an FCS program in San Antonio. He inherited a team that had gone 1-10 the previous year and transformed it into a contender. Over four seasons, he built a foundation of success before returning to Washington State in 2022 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, where he continued mentoring talents like Cam Ward.
Since 2023, Morris has been the head of North Texas, turning around a program that finished 5-7 in his debut season. By 2025, the Mean Green boast a 10-1 record, their best ever, and sit in contention for a conference title and College Football Playoff berth. His journey reflects a blend of Leach’s Air Raid influence and his own innovative twists, making him a sought after character in college football.
Coaching Style and Philosophy
Eric Morris is synonymous with offensive firepower. Rooted in the Air Raid system he learned under Mike Leach, his style emphasizes fast paced, high tempo plays designed to overwhelm defenses. Expect spreads, quick passes, and explosive downfield shots, but Morris has evolved the scheme to include a balanced rushing attack, evident in North Texas ranking in the top 25 for both passing and rushing in multiple seasons.
What sets Morris apart is his reputation as a “quarterback whisperer.” He excels at identifying overlooked talent and turning them into stars. From signing Baker Mayfield as a walk-on at Texas Tech to developing Drew Mestemaker, a redshirt freshman walk on who leads the FBS in passing yards (3,469), yards per game, and yards per attempt at North Texas, Morris has a knack for quarterback development. His offenses consistently rank in the top 10 nationally for total yards, passing, and scoring, with nine top five passing offenses and 10 top 10 total offenses over 13 seasons as a head coach or coordinator.
Philosophically, Morris prioritizes relationships and player development. He builds programs through strong recruiting, especially in Texas, and fosters environments where players thrive both on and off the field. His teams are disciplined yet aggressive, often leading in turnover margin and efficiency metrics like red-zone scoring.
Coaching Record and Achievements
Morris’s head coaching record stands at 45-33 over seven seasons. At UIW (2018-21), he went 24-18, securing two Southland Conference championships (2018, 2021), two FCS playoff appearances, and a program-record 10-3 season in 2021. His offenses led the FCS in total yards in 2020-21 (552.3 ypg) and ranked top-10 nationally three times.
At North Texas (2023-25), he’s 21-15, with progressive improvement: 5-7 in 2023, 6-7 in 2024 (including a bowl appearance), and a stellar 10-1 in 2025. This year, UNT leads the FBS in scoring and total offense, has set program records for points scored, and earned its first AP Top 25 ranking since 1959.
Accolades include Southland Coach of the Year (2018, 2021), AFCA Regional Coach of the Year (2018), Eddie Robinson Award finalist (2018), and a 2025 George Munger Coach of the Year semifinalist. He’s mentored standouts like Cam Ward (Walter Payton Award finalist) and Taylor Grimes (multiple All-America honors).
What Oklahoma State Fans Can Expect
For Oklahoma State fans lost from recent struggles, including a winless Big 12 slate over the last two years, Morris represents hope for a revival. His track record of quick turnarounds is impressive: He flipped UIW from 1-10 to 6-5 in one year and has elevated North Texas from mediocrity to national contention. Expect an immediate offensive boost, with the Cowboys potentially returning to the high scoring days of old. Morris’s Air Raid will bring excitement to Boone Pickens Stadium, emphasizing tempo and big plays while developing a quarterback to anchor the team, perhaps finding hidden gems like he’s done before.
Defensively, while offense is his main stick, Morris has shown he can build balanced squads, as seen in UNT’s top five ranking in turnover margin this season. Recruiting should thrive with his Texas ties, drawing in state talent to compete in the evolving Big 12. Fans can anticipate a culture of accountability, innovation, and wins, aiming for bowl eligibility soon and playoff aspirations down the line. As Weiberg noted, Morris’s ability to “build lasting relationships” will resonate in Stillwater, fostering a program that’s not just competitive but connected.
Eric Morris isn’t just a hire, he’s who Oklahoma State believes is the next guy to lead Oklahoma State to greatness. With his blend of Leach-inspired offense and proven leadership, he’s poised to reignite Cowboy football. Welcome to the Eric Morris era, Cowboy fans.