G5 QB Whisperer Deserves a P4 Job

There are already several P4 head coaching vacancies and there are sure to be numerous more in the next two months. When these schools are scouring the country for replacements, one name that will repeatedly arise is North Texas head coach Eric Morris. And that is because over the last decade he has established himself as a quarterback whisperer, with several of his signal throwers developing into top level players.

Morris, who is 39 years old, was born and raised in Texas. This included playing his college football at Texas Tech under head coach Mike Leach from 2004 to 2008. He began his coaching career in 2010, with his first prominent position occurring at his alma mater in 2014 as offensive coordinator. Since then, he has coached and developed numerous noteworthy quarterbacks:

Patrick Mahomes – Texas Tech (2014-2016)

Everyone knows about Mahomes’ accomplishments, but just as a reminder, during his three seasons with the Red Raiders he passed for 11,252 yards and 93 touchdowns. He led the Big 12 in passing yards and touchdowns during both the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Cam Ward – Incarnate Word (2020-2021)

In 19 games, which included a shorted 2020 COVID season, Ward dominated the FCS level with 6,908 yards, 71 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions. The 2021 season was especially memorable with 4,648 yards, 47 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Cam Ward – Washington State (2022)

Ward followed Morris to Pullman, Washington for the 2022 season, where he continued to shine. While Ward played for two seasons with the Cougars, Morris was only around for one, when the future No. 1 draft pick passed for 3,232 yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

John Mateer – Washington State (2022)

While Mateer only attempted two passes during his true freshman season with the Cougars, Morris helped recruit him to Pullman. Mateer ended up excelling during his first season as a starter with the Cougars in 2024 before transferring to Oklahoma.

Chandler Morris – North Texas (2024)

Morris experienced different levels of success at Oklahoma and TCU before enjoying his best collegiate season with the Mean Green. He passed for 3,774 yards, 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, which resulted in his transfer back to the P4 level where he is currently leading the way for No. 19 Virginia (5-1).

Drew Mestemaker – North Texas (2025)

Mestemaker, a redshirt freshman, may be one of the hottest names in the transfer portal during the off-season if he decides on a change of scenery. Leading the Mean Green to a 5-0 start, he has passed for 1,247 yards, 11 touchdowns and no interceptions this season.

As a disciple of Leach at Texas Tech, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that Morris has been able to continue his offensive legacy. And with the quarterback resume he has developed over the last decade, it is time for him to prove himself as a head coach at the highest collegiate level.

Get used to the name Eric Morris because you’ll be hearing plenty of it in the coming months and years.