Oklahoma State Hires Eric Morris as 25th Head Football Coach

On November 26, 2023, Oklahoma State University stunned the college football world by hiring Eric Morris, the highly successful head coach of North Texas, as its 25th head football coach. The announcement came just hours after Morris led the Mean Green to a 10-1 record entering the final week of the 2023 regular season — a turnaround that had turned Denton into a hotbed of national attention. What made this hire even more dramatic? Arkansas boosters were actively trying to lure him away, and North Texas donors had launched a fundraising push to keep him. They didn’t succeed. But they came close.

A Coach Who Turns Programs Around

Eric Morris didn’t rise through the traditional power-conference ranks. He built something from nothing — first at University of the Incarnate Word, then at North Texas. At Incarnate Word, a low-budget FCS program in San Antonio, Morris inherited a team that had gone 30-64 over nine seasons. By 2021, he had them winning two Southland Conference titles in a row, earning Coach of the Year honors both times. His record? 24-18. Then came North Texas. In three years, he turned a 3-9 team into a 10-1 powerhouse with a shot at the American Athletic Conference title and even a potential College Football Playoff berth. That’s not luck. That’s system. That’s culture.

“Today begins the next era of Oklahoma State Football,” said Chad Weiberg, OSU’s athletic director, in the official statement. “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.” Weiberg didn’t just talk about wins — he emphasized character. “The kind of person he is and the lasting relationships he builds with his players” made Morris the perfect fit. That’s code for: he doesn’t just coach. He mentors. He retains. He grows.

The Arkansas Chase and the Donor War

Here’s the twist: Arkansas didn’t just want Morris. They were ready to make a move. According to Brett Vito, a veteran Texas sports journalist, Razorbacks boosters began quietly lining up financial commitments to lure him away. That sent North Texas into panic mode. Donors like longtime supporter Don Lovelace rallied the community. “We’re really expanding our donor base,” Lovelace told Vito. “All the things that need to happen are happening.” The goal? Raise enough to match or exceed what Arkansas — and Oklahoma State — were offering. They didn’t just want to keep Morris. They wanted to make it impossible for anyone else to take him.

It almost worked. But Oklahoma State moved faster. And smarter. They didn’t just offer a paycheck. They offered stability. A Big 12 stage. A tradition. And a quarterback-friendly offense that fits Morris’ identity as a “quarterback guru.” He’s known for developing dual-threat talents — the kind that thrive in the Big 12’s wide-open schemes. That’s why OSU didn’t just hire a coach. They hired a system.

The Transition: One Last Game, Then a New Beginning

Morris isn’t walking into Stillwater tomorrow. He’ll finish what he started in Denton. That means coaching North Texas through the American Athletic Conference Championship Game — scheduled for December 2, 2023 — and potentially a College Football Playoff game if the Mean Green clinch an at-large bid. It’s rare for a coach to leave mid-postseason. But it’s not unprecedented. And OSU made it clear: they’d rather wait for the right man than rush into the wrong one.

Meanwhile, North Texas is already looking ahead. Their top target? Jeff Rossomando, Lamar University’s head coach. In 2023, Rossomando led the Cardinals from a 1-10 season to 6-5 — the fourth-biggest turnaround in FCS history. He’s a Texas native, a recruiter with deep roots, and a coach who’s proven he can rebuild. He’s not flashy. But he’s effective. And that’s exactly what North Texas needs now.

Why This Matters Beyond Stillwater

This hire isn’t just about Oklahoma State’s offense. It’s about the shifting power in Texas football. For years, the state’s top coaching talent flowed to Texas, Texas A&M, and Baylor. Now, schools like North Texas and Incarnate Word are becoming incubators for head coaching talent. Morris’ success shows you don’t need a billion-dollar budget to build a winner — just a clear vision, disciplined recruiting, and a culture that sticks.

And for Oklahoma State? After years of instability — five head coaches since 2013 — Morris represents continuity. He’s got Big 12 ties. He recruits Texas. He develops quarterbacks. He wins. And he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. That’s what this program needed: not a celebrity, but a builder.

What’s Next?

Morris will officially take over in January 2024, after North Texas’ season ends. His first task? Rebuilding the Cowboys’ offensive line and locking down top Texas recruits before the early signing period in December. He’ll inherit a roster with talent — especially at wide receiver — but questions at quarterback and depth along the front seven.

North Texas, meanwhile, will begin its search in earnest. Rossomando is the frontrunner, but names like Texas State’s Jake Spavital and SMU’s offensive coordinator, who helped the Mustangs rank 8th nationally in scoring this year, are also in play. The stakes? High. North Texas needs to avoid a collapse like the one that followed the departure of Seth Littrell in 2021.