The University of North Texas football program faces a unique challenge this season.
The Mean Green are entering a new conference while simultaneously adjusting to the leadership of a new head coach.
Eric Morris, a former University of Incarnate Word head coach and highly-regarded FBS offensive coordinator, takes over after the dismissal of Seth Littrell, who led UNT to six bowl games in seven seasons.
“We’re extremely excited and blessed to be joining the American,” Morris began as he addressed the media at the conference’s annual media days in Arlington on Tuesday. “On behalf of North Texas, to see the vision of our leadership — starting with our chancellor, our president, and our athletic director, Jared Mosley… They understood our vision and knew where we wanted to go as an institution.”
“…Obviously, this is a conference that has a lot of history,” he continued. “Seeing Cincinnati go to the final four a couple of years ago [and] to watch what Tulane was able to accomplish last year on such a big stage gives us hope. I think I inherited a roster that’s hungry right now, and [I’m] super proud of the kids that we have.”
“I think we have a group of young men that have a chip on their shoulder, and they’re eager that they want to go out and prove that we belong in this conference. So, [I’m] super humbled and excited to lead this group of young men into the first inaugural season in the American.”
North Texas is one of six teams joining the conference from Conference USA, expanding the American into a 14-team league.
“I think this one’s unique as far as you have all the teams moving out of the conference and then a bunch of teams coming with us from Conference USA,” Morris told The Dallas Express. “There’s familiarity with the teams that are coming with us, and then I think — let’s just call it what it is — losing UCF and Cincinnati and Houston — all those guys, I think, are some real quality programs.”
“I think roster-wise that we’re going to match up with competitive depth a little bit more than people think,” he added. “I love where our roster is right now. Obviously, to watch what Tulane was able to do last year was super impressive, and what SMU is doing is super impressive — especially on the recruiting trail — and then you look at UTSA and what Coach Traylor’s done. There’s going to be great competition, but I think there’s going to be a little more parity than people think.”
Morris took over the program after a Frisco Bowl loss to Boise State in December and has been working to instill a winning culture for Mean Green football ever since, emphasizing relationships within the team, the school, the community, and along the recruiting trail.
“Coach Morris has done a really good job of changing the culture,” offensive lineman Jett Duncan told The Dallas Express. “Him and [Strength and Conditioning] Coach [Bryan] Kegans preach about culture — how we have to have a good culture, and we have to have good connections and stuff like that.”
“I remember he came in, and the first thing he did was come in when we were at the bowl game, and he talked to us as a team,” defensive lineman Mazin Richards added to The Dallas Express. “He was saying the first thing he wants to do is build a relationship with everybody. He’s really done that. Everybody on the team is really close, especially with the strength staff that we have. Everyone’s more close-knit, we’re playing for each other, the workouts are competitive, and it’s just a great environment. I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes this season.”
“We had a great roster [last year], but we just weren’t that good as a team,” he added. “We didn’t mesh very well, but I feel like, with our culture getting better, we’re going to be really good this year.”
Another way Morris has changed the culture is through his coaching staff. The former Texas Tech wide receiver brought in 13 new staff members and kept some coaches from the previous team. Offensive analyst Jason Smith, who started working with UNT as a voluntary intern last season, is one assistant Richards says has been incredibly helpful to his growth.
“He’s been a really good motivator and mentor for me,” Richards explained to The Dallas Express. “…I really appreciate him. He’s a great mentor for us [linemen] and the team. He helps everybody. He dedicates all his time to making sure we can get better, and I really appreciate that.”
Duncan and Richards are two players Morris believes can help lead and set the tone for his program’s turnaround. Duncan has been an anchor for the offensive line as the starting right tackle, and Richards, a Burleson native who began his career at Eastern New Mexico University, became an all-conference player in his first year with the team.
“[He does] Everything the right way,” Morris told the media of Richards. “He had great grades. He’s a model citizen, and so he comes to North Texas and, last year, he’s first team all-conference [with] 7.5 sacks [and] 12.5 tackles for loss, and a stud in the community…He represents this program each and every day the right way, and sometimes that’s hard [in] this day and age.”
As the UNT program embarks on its first football season in the American Athletic Conference, its veteran leadership will be paramount. Everyone around the program believes the buy-in is there, but will it translate to the field quickly enough for the team to compete in its first season in the league?