University of North Texas head coach Eric Morris has been hired as the next head coach at Oklahoma State, the school announced, ending his three-year run in Denton and a quick rise that pushed the Mean Green into the top 25 rankings this season.
Morris, 39, will coach No. 21 North Texas (10–1) through the end of the regular season, the American Athletic Conference championship game, and any potential College Football Playoff appearances before officially taking over for the Cowboys in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The timing of the hiring announcement from OSU hits just as North Texas prepares to host Temple on Friday, in a game that could lock in home-field advantage for next week’s conference championship game.
Athletic director Jared Mosley thanked Morris for elevating the program in a recent statement, celebrating the team’s first AP Top 25 ranking in more than 60 years.
“Eric informed me earlier today that he has accepted the head coaching position at Oklahoma State University. On behalf of the University of North Texas, I want to express our deep gratitude to Eric for everything he has done for Mean Green Football over the past three seasons. He took over at one of the most chaotic times in college athletics and brought great success on the field, including two bowl-eligible seasons and the program’s first national ranking in over six decades, while our student-athletes excelled in the classroom and in the Denton community,” Moseley wrote.
At Oklahoma State, Morris will take over a football team that has seen one of its worst seasons ever: the Cowboys are 1–10 and winless in Big 12 games over the past two seasons.
The news triggered quick, widespread frustration among North Texas fans, many of whom voiced concerns about the departure days before what could be the most important stretch in the football team’s history.
“A complete and utter disgrace… after so many years you have a successful program for a possible playoff birth… HOW DO YOU EXPECT PLAYERS TO LOCK IN AFTER THIS CRAP????” posted X user Allsportssupport.
“UNT should have unloaded the house to keep him there. Their mistake on that one. Hate this for you guys, but that’s today’s world of CFB,” added X user Hcolombi_3.
Several Mean Green fans expressed concern that the coaching change could cause some of the team’s best players to enter the transfer portal.
“You’re probably going to lose QB1 and RB1 in the portal too & WR1 as well. The G5 has basically turned into a farm system like minor leagues in pro sports. Not saying it doesn’t suck, I live 20 minutes from Denton and my wife went to UNT. It’s unfortunate,” wrote X user BossFossOSU.
On the field, Morris leaves behind one of the most explosive offenses in the country.
North Texas leads the nation in total offense (503.3 yards per game) and is the only FBS team to score at least 30 points in every game this season, per ESPN. Since 2023, the Mean Green has ranked third nationally in scoring at 37.8 points per game.
Morris compiled a 21–15 record at UNT after prior head-coaching stints at Incarnate Word and coordinator roles at Texas Tech and Washington State. His quarterback resume includes working with Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, Cam Ward, and current UNT starter Drew Mestemaker.
A national search for next year’s coach has already begun. Candidates allegedly include current UNT offensive coordinator Mike Bloesch.
North Texas hosts Temple on Friday at 6 p.m. at DATCU Stadium with a strong chance to clinch a spot in the AAC title game scheduled for December 5.