Oklahoma State University has officially ushered in a new era of Cowboyfootball,namingEric Morris as the school’s 25th head football coach in a move aimed at revitalizing a onceproud program. Morris, who spent the past three seasons transforming the University of North Texas into one of the nation’s most explosive offenses and a contender in the American Athletic Conference, will succeed the long-tenured Mike Gundy following the conclusion of the 2025 season, pending final board approval.
A native of West Texas and a former wide receiver under the late Mike Leach at Texas Tech, Morris has quickly built a reputation as one of college football’s rising offensive minds. After brief playing time in the Canadian FootballLeague,hebeganhis coaching career in 2010 with theUniversityofHoustonand climbed the ranks with stops at Washington State and a five-year stint as offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, where his Air Raid-inspired schemes helped produce prolific passing attacks.
Morris earned his first head coaching opportunity in 2018 at the University of the Incarnate Word, guiding the Cardinals to a franchise-best turnaround and a conference championship before moving on to Washington State as offensive coordinator. In 2023, he took over at North Texas,wherehisMeanGreen offenses consistently ranked among the nation’s top units in scoring and total yardage, culminating in an historic 11-1 season in 2025 that saw the program crack the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1959.
With his proven ability to develop quarterbacks and engineer high-octane offenses, Oklahoma State officials are betting Morris will inject fresh energy and strategic innovation into a Cowboy program eager to return to competitiveness in the Big 12. University leaders said the decision to hire Morris followed an extensive national search that emphasized innovation, recruiting reach and player development.
Athletic director Chad Weiberg described Morris as “a modern coach with a deep respect for tradition,” noting his ties to the Air Raid philosophy that once helped shape Big 12 football while also highlighting his adaptability in an era increasingly defined by the transfer portal and name, image and likeness opportunities.
“We believe Eric understands what it takes to win in this conference and to do it the right way,” Weiberg said in a statement. “His track record shows he can build culture, develop talent and compete at a high level, and that aligns with the expectations of Oklahoma State.”
Morris inherits a program thatenjoyedsustainedsuccess for nearly two decades under Gundy, including multiple conference championship appearances and consistent bowl eligibility, but one that has struggled with consistencyinrecentseasons. Attendance dipped and fan frustration grew as the Cowboys searched for offensive identity and depth, particularly against Big 12 rivals that embraced fasterpaced, high-scoring systems similar to those Morris has long championed.
Players were notified of thechangeearlySunday,and early reactions from within the locker room suggested cautious optimism. Several currentCowboystooktosocial media to welcome Morris, pointing to his reputation for quarterback development and wide-receiver production as reasons for renewed excitement heading into spring workouts.
Morris is expected to assemble his coaching staff quickly, with an emphasis on continuity for current players while aggressively targeting recruits and transfers ahead of the upcoming signing periods. His introductory press conference is scheduled for later this week in Stillwater, where he is expected to outline his vision for the program and address the challenge of following one of the most recognizable figures in Oklahoma State athletic history.
For a fan base eager to see the Cowboys reassert themselves in the Big 12, the hire represents both a departure from the past and a calculated step forward, one built on the belief that Eric Morris’offensivepedigreeand program-building experience can restore momentum to Boone Pickens Stadium.