ESPN’s Greg McElroy stirred up some buzz this week when he went on record saying that North Texas head coach Eric Morris should be “front and center” in Oklahoma State’s coaching search. That’s a pretty direct endorsement from a guy who doesn’t usually toss out hot names for the sake of it.
In the clip, McElroy makes a simple point: Morris has done enough to be in the conversation. His offenses hum, his teams play with confidence, and he’s proven he can build from the ground up. That’s something Oklahoma State has to take seriously in this coaching cycle.
Morris isn’t some flashy name that’s going to light up message boards, but if you look at what he’s done, especially with limited resources, he’s been consistently impressive. The guy made Incarnate Word a problem in the FCS. Then he goes to Washington State and helps turn around their offense in a hurry. Now at North Texas, he’s doing it again. He gets results without needing a blue-blood brand to back him up.
And let’s be real, Oklahoma State needs fresh energy. They need someone who can connect with players, work the portal, and scheme with the best of them. McElroy, pointing to Morris, isn’t just about what he’s done; it’s about what he could be at a place like Stillwater with Big 12 resources.
There are going to be other names in the mix, sure. That comes with the territory. But the fact that McElroy is pushing Morris as the guy to watch tells you people inside the sport are paying attention.
Whether Oklahoma State fans are sold on him yet is a different conversation, but if you’re trying to identify someone who could be a long-term answer and isn’t just chasing a paycheck or bouncing from job to job, Morris fits.
Now it’s on Oklahoma State to decide what they want. If it’s an up-and-comer with serious offensive chops and Texas recruiting ties, McElroy’s probably right, Eric Morris should be near the top of the list.
