Eric Morris sets the standard for Oklahoma State: 'We can win a damn championship'

For the first time since 2004, Oklahoma State will open the 2026 season without Mike Gundy on the sidelines.

Gundy, who led the program from 2005-2025, was fired three games into the 2025 season. Offensive coordinator Doug Meacham led the team through its final nine games as the interim head coach before a full-blown coaching search was conducted.

The brass at Oklahoma State landed on North Texas head coach Eric Morris, whose Mean Green were one of the best Group of 5 teams in all of college football this season. Morris’ rise to Power-Four football happened fast, as his head coaching career began at Incarnate Word in 2018.

After leading the Cardinals to a 24-18 record across four seasons of FCS play, Morris was hired at North Texas in 2023. Across three seasons with his new program, Morris led them to a 22-16 record. This past season however was the program’s best in history, as it went 11-2 and fell to Tulane in the American Championship Game (the first appearance in program history).

Eric Morris claims Oklahoma State could win a National Championship

During his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Morris made an emphatic plea that Oklahoma State could certainly win a National Championship.

“This is absolutely the most perfect fit for me and my family we could ever think about,” Morris said. “As it relates to the professional, can we win a championship? My answer to that is hell yes we can win a damn championship around here. The next question is how, right? For starters, this place has every advantage. Unbelievable leadership. Top-notch facilities. A passionate fanbase and a storied history.”

“We have top-level support from our boosters and we play in the best football conference in all of America. My job as a coach is to maximize all of those advantages for our program. We’re gonna go out and outwork and out recruit everyone. We’re going to identify the top talent throughout the state and nation to come to Stillwater and be apart of this program.”

Just as recently as 2021, the Pokes had a shot at winning the program’s first National Championship since 1945. With a win in the Big 12 Championship Game, a College Football Playoff appearance was more than on the table for OK State. They however lost to No. 10 Baylor in the game 21-16 due to a goal-line stop by the Bears with no time remaining on the clock.

Morris’ tenure at Oklahoma State will officially begin on Sept. 5, 2026 at home against Tulsa.