When Oklahoma State Cowboys fired Mike Gundy after 21 seasons, it wasn’t just a coaching change—it was the end of an era. On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the university officially named Eric Morris, 42, head coach of the University of North Texas Mean Green, as his successor. The announcement came at 1:21 PM UTC, capping a months-long search that felt more like a slow burn than a rush. And for a program that finished 1-10 in 2025, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The End of Gundy’s Reign
Mike Gundy didn’t just coach at Oklahoma State—he defined it. Since 2005, he built the Cowboys into a consistent Big 12 contender, turning Stillwater into a football town. But this season? It collapsed. A 1-10 record made OSU one of only two Power Four teams without a single FBS win. Fans were frustrated. Recruits were hesitant. The offense looked stuck in 2012. Even a win over Arkansas in 2024, as ESPN’s Greg McElroy noted, felt like a relic of better days.
When Gundy was fired in October, interim coach Doug Meechum couldn’t turn the tide. The team lost its identity. The defense was porous. The offense was predictable. And in an era where transfer portal stars and NIL deals dictate success, Oklahoma State had fallen behind. The program had become comfortable—and that’s deadly in modern college football.
Enter Eric Morris: The Offensive Architect
Eric Morris isn’t just a coach. He’s a quarterback whisperer. At North Texas, he’s turned a middling Group of Five program into a 10-1 powerhouse in 2025, with a dynamic, fast-paced offense that’s drawing national attention. His three-year record at Denton? 21-15. His three years at Incarnate Word? He took an FCS also-ran and made them a top-15 team.
What makes Morris different? He recruits quarterbacks like others recruit wideouts. He understands the transfer portal. He’s built relationships with agents and NIL collectives. And he doesn’t just run an offense—he reimagines it. As Scott Fisher noted in his November 26 analysis, Morris is an “offense/QB genius from North Texas.” That’s exactly what Oklahoma State needs.
The NIL and Portal Mandate
The most urgent task for Morris isn’t X’s and O’s—it’s modernization. Under Gundy, Oklahoma State lagged in NIL deals and portal acquisitions. While schools like Texas, LSU, and even Cincinnati were flooding their rosters with elite transfers, OSU sat back. The result? A roster full of underdeveloped talent and zero star power.
Morris’s track record suggests he’ll fix that fast. At North Texas, he landed three portal transfers who became All-Conference players. He also secured a top-25 NIL collective deal in 2024, one of the largest for a Group of Five school. Chad Weiberg, Oklahoma State’s athletic director since 2019, made it clear: “Coach Morris has proven his ability to build and lead winning football programs.” Translation? He knows how to win in the new game.
What Comes Next?
Morris won’t step onto the OSU sidelines until after North Texas’s season ends. That means he’ll coach the Mean Green in the American Athletic Conference title game—and possibly a College Football Playoff game if they pull off a historic upset. It’s a rare luxury: a coach finishing a dream season before starting another.
His first real test? The 2026 season opener against Arkansas in Fayetteville. That game, originally scheduled for 2025, was postponed due to the coaching chaos. Now, it’s a symbolic reset. Can Morris beat the Razorbacks in his debut? If he does, the Cowboys’ fanbase will start believing again.
Contract details remain undisclosed, but insiders say it’s a long-term deal—likely seven years—with performance bonuses tied to NIL growth and bowl eligibility. That’s a signal: Oklahoma State isn’t just looking for a coach. They’re looking for a builder.
A New Era in Stillwater
Mike Gundy’s legacy is secure. He’s the winningest coach in OSU history. But football doesn’t wait for nostalgia. The game moved on. The players moved on. The money moved on. And now, Oklahoma State has bet big on a 42-year-old coach who’s never coached in a Power Four conference.
It’s risky. It’s bold. And honestly? It’s overdue.
For the first time in over two decades, the Cowboys aren’t clinging to the past. They’re chasing the future. And if Morris can bring the same energy he brought to Denton to Stillwater? The Big 12 might have a new player.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Oklahoma State fire Mike Gundy after 21 years?
Despite Gundy’s long success, Oklahoma State’s 1-10 record in 2025 marked its worst season in decades. The offense was stagnant, recruiting had stalled, and the program lagged behind peers in NIL and transfer portal activity. Athletic Director Chad Weiberg concluded a change was needed to compete in modern college football.
What makes Eric Morris a good fit for Oklahoma State?
Morris has a proven track record of turning around low-profile programs, most notably at North Texas and Incarnate Word. He’s known for developing quarterbacks, leveraging the transfer portal effectively, and building strong NIL partnerships—exactly the skills Oklahoma State needs after years of stagnation under Gundy.
When will Eric Morris officially start at Oklahoma State?
Morris will remain at North Texas through the end of the 2025 season, including the AAC Championship game and potentially a College Football Playoff appearance. He’s expected to begin full duties at Oklahoma State in January 2026, ahead of spring practice.
How does Morris plan to improve Oklahoma State’s recruiting?
Morris has already demonstrated success attracting high-potential transfers and mid-tier recruits by offering offensive freedom and development opportunities. He’s expected to prioritize dual-threat quarterbacks and dynamic skill players, while aggressively pursuing NIL deals tied to his offensive system to boost OSU’s appeal.
What’s the significance of the 2026 Arkansas game?
The game in Fayetteville is Morris’s first official road test as Oklahoma State’s head coach. It’s symbolic—Arkansas was OSU’s only win in 2024, and now it’s the first major challenge under a new regime. A win would signal a quick turnaround and energize a demoralized fanbase.
Is this hire a sign of a broader shift in the Big 12?
Absolutely. Oklahoma State’s decision to hire a younger, offensive-minded coach from outside the Power Five signals a rejection of tradition in favor of innovation. Other programs, like Kansas State and West Virginia, may follow suit, accelerating the Big 12’s evolution toward faster, more dynamic football.