Bill Haisten Urges Oklahoma State to Reward Eric Morris With New Contract After Remarkable Turnaround

STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State's resurgence under Eric Morris has caught the attention of longtime observers of the program. For Tulsa World sports columnist Bill Haisten, the Cowboys' turnaround has already raised an important question: Should Oklahoma State reward its first-year head coach with a new contract?

During an appearance on Publisher Tyler Jones' The Jones Report podcast Friday, Haisten argued that Oklahoma State should act now rather than wait for another program to express interest in Morris.

The Cowboys enter Saturday's matchup at Iowa State with a 5-2 record and a chance to secure bowl eligibility. That represents a dramatic change for a program that went 3-9 in 2024 and 1-11 in 2025 before hiring Morris following Mike Gundy's dismissal.

Haisten said Oklahoma State's administration should recognize what Morris has accomplished in less than a year.

"Right now, it's time to get started on a new contract for Eric Morris," Haisten said, referencing the Cowboys' 57-24 victory over Colorado last weekend.

Morris signed a five-year contract worth approximately $20 million when Oklahoma State hired him from North Texas. His salary for the 2026 season is $3.8 million, with annual increases of $100,000 beginning in 2027.

Haisten suggested that a substantial raise into the $6 million to $6.5 million range would be appropriate, while acknowledging the financial limitations of Oklahoma State compared with some of college football's wealthiest programs.

His reasoning extends beyond the team's record. Haisten credited Morris with rebuilding relationships with donors, increasing community engagement and restoring enthusiasm around the program. He also pointed to the financial value Oklahoma State has received from its coaching hire.

Rather than waiting for another school to pursue Morris, Haisten believes the Cowboys should take a proactive approach to retaining him.

Oklahoma State entered the season facing questions about how quickly Morris could rebuild a roster following two consecutive losing campaigns.

The Cowboys also opened 2026 with a disappointing loss to Tulsa before responding with a victory over Oregon that helped change the program's outlook. Haisten described the Oregon game as a defining moment, pointing to the celebration at Boone Pickens Stadium as evidence of renewed excitement among Oklahoma State fans.

The Cowboys have continued building on that momentum, including a second-half surge against Colorado in which they scored 34 unanswered points.

Haisten believes eight or nine wins are realistic possibilities if Oklahoma State maintains its current trajectory. He also suggested Morris could become a leading candidate for Big 12 Coach of the Year because of the circumstances he inherited.

Haisten also praised Morris' ability to bring quarterback Drew Mestemaker from North Texas to Oklahoma State. Mestemaker has become one of the Cowboys' most important players, throwing for 2,326 yards and 20 touchdowns through seven games.

Haisten believes the quarterback could receive a first-round NFL Draft evaluation and potentially emerge among the top prospects available. Those projections remain speculative, but they highlight another issue Oklahoma State could face following the season. If Mestemaker enters the draft, Morris would need to identify and develop his successor.

Haisten said he is particularly interested in whether Oklahoma State would pursue another established transfer quarterback and how much financial support would be available to secure one. For Haisten, Morris' reputation for quarterback development and his extensive recruiting relationships make him well suited to navigate that challenge.

Oklahoma State's immediate focus remains Saturday's road matchup against Iowa State. Haisten expects the Cowboys to win, predicting a 17-point margin despite acknowledging the Cyclones' ability to compete when playing at their best.

A victory would give Oklahoma State six wins and secure bowl eligibility, another significant step in Morris' debut season. But Haisten believes the program should already be thinking beyond the current campaign.

With the Cowboys still in the Big 12 championship conversation, he sees an opportunity for Oklahoma State to establish long-term stability under Morris. The larger question, in his view, is whether the university will make the financial commitment necessary to keep its coach as his profile continues to rise.