OSU's Morris Vows Grit, Toughness to Rebuild Cowboy Football

A young Eric Morris sat in his bedroom in awe.

Morris, 11 at the time, admired a gift his parents had just bought him — a framed poster commemorating the Big 12 conference’s inaugural season in 1996. Its design provided an adrenaline rush with every glance he gave it.

Morris said he admired the work of the conference’s prominent players, specifically former Texas Tech wide receiver Wes Welker, hoping to equal that level of success at the college level.

“I didn’t know a ton about Oklahoma State besides the obvious of Barry Sanders winning the Heisman and watching SportsCenter and seeing the success that they had,” Morris said. “But I remember laying in my room and being an undersized guy and looking up to a guy like Wes and hoping to take over what he was able to do.”

It gave him a dream at a young age. Something to look forward to, and something to chase.

Seven years later, Morris’ dream became a reality when he was offered a scholarship to play at Texas Tech under Mike Leach. And Monday, Morris’ dream came into fruition again.

"The Morris Era Begins Now" displays line the walls inside the Alumni Center during Eric Morris' introduction as Oklahoma State's new head football coach Monday. – Photos by Chris Peters

Morris was introduced as Oklahoma State’s football coach, succeeding former coach Mike Gundy after 21 seasons.

The 40-year-old Morris dazzled when establishing his vision for the program. He sold the audience with the concept of building a program on grit, toughness and accountability, which he managed to do in four years at FCS Incarnate Word and in three at North Texas.

“We’re gonna go out and we’re gonna out recruit everyone,” Morris said. “We’re going to identify the top talent in the state and nation to come to Stillwater and be part of this program. We’re gonna play a brand of football that has playmakers all over the field.

“Our toughness and our grit will be our advantage.”

Morris also emphasized the importance of valuing in-state talent. Since 2015, Oklahoma has produced 466 NFL prospects. Most notably Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar, Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Zaven Collins, and former OSU players Justice Hill, Malcolm Rodriguez and Collin Oliver.

“I believe in recruiting Oklahoma. I've done it everywhere I've been. That won't change here,” Morris said. “We have great relationships in Texas. (Both states) will be our hot beds.”

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Cashing in on hidden gems — which Morris has done plenty of in current NFL quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, Patrick Mahomes and Cam Ward — has been a commonality throughout his coaching career. But how will that philosophy fare at the Power Four level? Will it even be sustainable?

If anything, athletic director Chad Weiberg said, the resources OSU can provide in contrast to Morris’ past coaching stops is substantial. And if Morris can uncover a plethora of future NFL starters at the Group of Five level, imagine what he can do at a Power Four program, Weiberg said.

“We’re going to max the roster budget,” Weiberg said. “The rules (in college football) have changed. I think we’ll be able to benefit from that.

“Once those new rules take effect, we’re going to max (our roster budget) because of that.”

Morris sold the crowd with his optimism and vision for the program. He checked off all boxes with his passion for the job, proclaimed dedication to his work and pedigree as a “quarterback whisperer.”

Now, it’s up to him to deliver.

After logging 18 straight bowl game appearances under Gundy, the Cowboys haven’t appeared in one in two seasons. And perhaps the most jarring statistic is a 4-20 record in that span.

But for now, fans can find solace in his Monday afternoon pitch.

“I’m so familiar with watching this program in the caliber of athletes (it has had) and the wins that these guys were able to accomplish — that we were able to accomplish,” Morris said. “All the consecutive bowl games and winning bowl games. Just so much success. And watching what Boone Pickens was able to do here and really transform this stadium.”

And to close, Morris upped the ante.

“I was reading an article the other day — they ranked this place the number one institution and facility in all of college football,” he said. “Like how can I not go out and sell that on the road?”