North Texas head coach Eric Morris is rapidly becoming one of the most innovative and influential offensive minds in college football. Known for developing overlooked and underrated quarterbacks into star players, Morris has built a reputation as a quarterback whisperer, guiding names like Baker Mayfield, Patrick Mahomes, Cam Ward, Chandler Morris, John Mateer, and now freshman phenom Drew Mestemaker. His process-driven, Air Raid-based philosophy has turned North Texas into the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense and a serious College Football Playoff contender, while positioning Morris as a top candidate in upcoming Power 4 coaching searches.
The Rise of Eric Morris: From Slot Receiver to Coaching Sensation
Morris, a former Texas Tech receiver under Mike Leach, learned early that the Air Raid was more than just a system — it was a flexible philosophy built around maximizing a quarterback’s strengths. Leach affectionately called him “The Elf,” but Morris soon transformed into a master of offensive design and a meticulous talent evaluator.
He later became an offensive coach at Texas Tech and Washington State, then head coach at Incarnate Word and North Texas. Across every stop, Morris proved one thing: he doesn’t chase stars — he creates them.
A True QB Developer: Turning Unknown Players Into Stars
Morris has developed a remarkable line of quarterbacks who started out overlooked or unranked — yet now dominate the college and NFL landscape.
| Quarterback | Initial Status | Career Breakthrough Under Morris |
| Baker Mayfield | Walk-on | Became Heisman winner and No. 1 NFL pick |
| Patrick Mahomes | Three-star | Became Super Bowl champion and NFL MVP |
| Cam Ward | Zero-star recruit | Became Heisman contender and top transfer |
| John Mateer | Unranked | Transfer star at Oklahoma |
| Chandler Morris | Transfer | Revived career at Virginia after Morris’ guidance |
| Drew Mestemaker | Former backup & walk-on | Top-5 FBS passer at North Texas |
How Morris Found His Latest Gem: Drew Mestemaker
Perhaps Morris’ most remarkable success story is Drew Mestemaker, a former high school backup who had no varsity QB film and was mostly a punter and safety in his final year.
Despite no tape, Morris gave him a chance. In his first scrimmage at North Texas, Mestemaker showcased elite processing, deep-ball accuracy, and poise in the pocket. The staff realized they had discovered their next breakout star.
Flash forward to this season — Mestemaker ranks:
- 5th in passing yards (3,000)
- 7th in passing TDs (23)
- Top-3 in explosive plays (20+ yard completions)
- Leading North Texas to its first-ever AP Top 25 ranking
He is now generating major transfer portal buzz and could become a headline name in the upcoming Power 4 quarterback market.
Why Morris’ System Works: Adaptability and Development
Unlike rigid offensive schemes, Morris customizes his system to match each quarterback’s strengths:
| QB | Strength | Morris’ Offensive Adjustment |
| Chandler Rogers | Mobility | Run-pass option, designed QB runs |
| Chandler Morris | Rollout accuracy | Bootlegs, moving pockets, scramble reads |
| Drew Mestemaker | Pure pocket passer | Deep routes, quick reads, vertical attack |
This tailored approach has helped North Texas rank 6th, 5th, and 3rd nationally in total offense over the past three seasons.
Portal Impact: Could Morris and Mestemaker Be a Package Deal?
According to ESPN sources, Morris is one of the top candidates for multiple Power 4 coaching openings, and Mestemaker could follow him, much like Cam Ward did when Morris left Incarnate Word for Washington State.
This potential coach-and-quarterback package could instantly transform any struggling Power 4 offense.
Top potential destinations include:
- Texas A&M
- UCLA
- Baylor
- Virginia Tech
- Arkansas
The Future — But Not Yet
Even as speculation grows, Morris insists on staying focused on the present.
“I’ve gotten as good as anybody at being where my feet are,” Morris said. “The future can wait — we’re building something special right now.”
Whether Morris stays at North Texas, jumps to a Power 4 program, or brings Mestemaker with him, one thing is clear:
Eric Morris isn’t just building an offense — he’s building college football’s next great quarterback factory.