North Texas Coach Eric Morris and QB Drew Mestemaker Form Rare Package Deal for Power 4 Jobs

When Eric Morris took over as head coach of the North Texas Mean Green in 2022, few expected the program to become a national story. But after a 9-1 season in 2024 — their first AP Top 25 ranking since 1959 — and the nation’s top-scoring offense at 45.3 points per game, Morris and his redshirt freshman quarterback, Drew Mestemaker, have become the most intriguing coaching-quarterback duo in college football. And now, multiple Power 4 programs are reportedly eyeing them as a single, game-changing package.

The Rise of a System and Its Star

Morris’s offense isn’t just productive — it’s theatrical. The Mean Green average over 489 total yards per game, have scored 50+ points five times this season, and throw the ball nearly 50 times a contest. It’s the Air Raid, yes, but filtered through Morris’s own brand of fearless creativity. He doesn’t just run the system; he bends it to fit his quarterback’s strengths. That’s why Drew Mestemaker, a two-star recruit out of Texas who wasn’t even on North Texas’s radar until a Dallas private coach called in the spring of 2024, has become one of the most dangerous passers in the FBS.

"Like, who wouldn’t want to throw the ball 50 times a game and go for it on every fourth down?" Mestemaker told ESPN in October. His numbers — 3,000+ yards, 28 touchdowns, just four interceptions — aren’t just good for a freshman. They’re elite. And they’ve caught the attention of NFL stars, too. On November 12, 2024, Patrick Mahomes publicly praised Morris on social media: "He gives you confidence to go out there and be yourself and play the game the way you’re supposed to play. And he’ll change the offense for that. It’s not surprising to me that he’s had so much success."

A Proven Pattern: The Coach Follows the QB — and Vice Versa

This isn’t the first time Morris has pulled off this trick. When he left Incarnate Word for Washington State in 2022, his starting quarterback, Deebo Samuel (later revealed to be Wyatt Ward), followed him. Ward threw for 3,800 yards and 32 touchdowns in his first season in Pullman. Now, history may repeat. Multiple ESPN and CBS Sports sources confirm that Mestemaker is expected to enter the transfer portal after this season — and that he’s open to reuniting with Morris.

"It’s not just about the offense," one Power 4 athletic director told CBS Sports anonymously. "It’s about the quarterback who thrives in it. You don’t get 3,000-yard guys just by installing a system. You get them by building trust. Morris builds trust."

Who’s Calling? Oklahoma State and Others

The list of schools interested in Morris is long, though not all have been named. But CBS Sports reported on October 15, 2025, that Oklahoma State University is actively vetting candidates who can "bring an experienced and dynamic offensive mind" — a phrase that fits Morris like a glove. Other Power 4 programs, including those in the Big 12 and SEC, are reportedly monitoring the situation closely.

The financial stakes are massive. Head coaches at top programs like USC earn over $11.5 million annually. Morris’s next job could pay him $4–6 million. Meanwhile, Mestemaker’s transfer value is climbing — he could command a $1 million NIL package before he even steps on campus at his next school. And if he follows Morris? That’s a rare two-for-one deal: a proven offensive architect and the quarterback who makes it work.

What’s Next? The Rice Game and the Portal Clock

North Texas’s next game — a Friday, November 29, 2024, showdown against Rice University at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU — could be Morris’s final home game as Mean Green head coach. A win would lock up the American Athletic Conference title and possibly a New Year’s Six bowl berth. But even if they lose, the spotlight won’t fade. The transfer portal opens officially in December, and Morris’s next move could reshape the landscape of college football offense.

Why This Matters Beyond Denton

This isn’t just about one coach and one quarterback. It’s about the evolving economics of college football. Programs are no longer just hiring coaches — they’re hiring entire offensive ecosystems. Morris has turned overlooked recruits into stars at every stop. He’s not just an Air Raid disciple; he’s a quarterback whisperer. And with NIL, transfer portals, and explosive offensive production driving recruiting, the most valuable assets aren’t just five-star recruits anymore. Sometimes, they’re the coach who can make a three-star look like a first-round pick.

The irony? Morris didn’t set out to become a commodity. He just wanted to play football the way he believed it should be played — fast, fearless, and fun. Now, the Power 4 wants to buy the whole package.