Eric Morris learned an important coaching lesson from his first Australian punter: be VERY specific. 😂 After telling him to kick the ball out of bounds, Morris watched him walk sideways and produce a minus-18-yard punt. Now at OSU with another Aussie punter, lesson learned.
Eric Morris has coached some of the best offenses in college football. He's developed quarterbacks. He's won conference championships. He's worked his way from being a young assistant to becoming the head coach at Oklahoma State.
But apparently, one of the most important lessons of his coaching career came back in 2018: When telling an Australian punter to kick the football out of bounds, you might want to explain exactly what you mean. Because Morris learned that one the hard way.
Just Don’t Kick It to the Returner
The story comes from Morris' first season as a head coach at Incarnate Word. The Cardinals were playing Abilene Christian on the road and led 44-34 with less than two minutes remaining.
Pretty simple situation. Don't do anything stupid. Don't give up a huge return. Get out of there with the win.
So Morris called timeout and delivered what he thought were some pretty straightforward instructions to Australian punter David Balcomb.
“Hey, kick it out of bounds. Don’t kick it to this returner.” Morris' reasoning was obvious.
A return touchdown was one of the few things that could potentially get Incarnate Word into trouble.
There was just one problem. Balcomb didn't grow up playing American football.
Then This Happened
Balcomb received the snap. And technically? He followed his coach's instructions perfectly. Just not remotely how Morris intended.
“He literally catches it, he walks straight sideways, minus-14 yard punt straight into the stands.”
Instead of punting the ball downfield toward the sideline, Balcomb essentially went sideways and booted it directly out of bounds.
Checking the actual box score. It was even worse. Minus-18 yards. Imagine watching your punter lose 18 yards while doing exactly what you told him to do.
Morris' reaction? “You can see me on tape, I fell to my knees.” Honestly, what else are you supposed to do?
At Least They Won
Thankfully for Morris, the punt didn't become one of those coaching mistakes that follows you forever.
Incarnate Word held on to win the game and eventually earned a share of the Southland Conference championship during Morris' first season.
But his phone after the game? Different story.
Morris said he received some of the worst text messages he'd ever gotten, including from family members watching on television who apparently had no problem letting the young head coach know what they thought about his decision.
Lesson learned. “I’ve learned that you have to explain sometimes football rules.”
Which Brings Us to Oklahoma State
Why is Morris telling this story eight years later? Because once again, he has an Australian punter.
Oklahoma State added Stephen F. Austin transfer Lachie Pozzobon, and Morris said Pozzobon has been doing a great job entering his first season in Stillwater.
But if Oklahoma State is leading by 10 with two minutes remaining and Morris wants Pozzobon to avoid a dangerous returner?
You can probably guarantee the conversation will be a little more detailed this time.
Not: “Kick it out of bounds.”
More like: “Kick it 40 yards DOWN THE FIELD…and then out of bounds.” 😂
Final Thoughts
Every coach has stories about mistakes from early in his career. I'm not sure many can top this one.
Morris gave what he thought was an obvious instruction. His punter listened.
The football went out of bounds. Eighteen yards in the wrong direction. And Morris ended up on his knees wondering what had just happened.
Eight years later, he's coaching Oklahoma State with another Australian punter on his roster.
Fortunately for Cowboys fans? This time Eric Morris knows to explain the assignment.
