New OC rumor

[CougPatrol]

I pulled this from another message board, but they floated a rumor that Dickert is pushing hard for Eric Morris to be his new OC. Morris, if you remember, was our inside receivers coach under Leach in 2012 before accepting the OC job at Texas Tech, where he put up huge numbers (including Patrick Mahomes tenure) there.

He served as the TT OC for 5 years before accepting the head coaching job at Incarnate Word. In his time at Incarnate Word, he was named regional coach of the year in 2018, taking a program that went 1-10 previously and leading them to a 6-4 record and the programs first ever FCS playoff appearance. This season has been Incarnate Word's best in program history. They're currently 10-2 after their first round victory in the FCS playoffs.

Looks like he runs the Air Raid, but his version is much different than Leach's, with a 30-40% running play rate. They average 127 yards rushing/game this season.

Not sure if there's any validity to this, but it's the silly season, so what the Hell?

Eric Morris

 

[Glad Cougar]

Interesting. Morris has had a distinguished few years since his time in Pullman. I like the idea of a more run-friendly version of the Air Raid, but won't complain if Dickert retains the Run & Shoot. By the way, it's Incarnate Word, not Ward.

Glad Cougar

 

[roses04]

At Tech:

Morris led an offense in 2015 that was ranked 2nd in the country in both total yardage and scoring.[5] The offense was led by Sophomore QB Patrick Mahomes who threw for 4,683 yards and 36 TDs and by RB DeAndré Washington who rushed for 1,492 yards and 16 TDs, Washington being the first 1,000-yard rusher at Texas Tech in more than a decade. Morris coached 2016 NFL Draft picks Le'Raven Clark, DeAndré Washington, and Jakeem Grant.

 

[CougPatrol]

The rumor, which again is unsubstantiated but makes sense, is that Dickert is apprehensive about sticking with the Run and Shoot due to the limited coaching pool. The few coaches there are who have experience running that offense have ties to Rolovich and June Jones, and that may also be raising some concerns.

 

[roses04]

More high school programs that run the air raid as well.

 

[Coug90]

I pulled this from another message board, but they floated a rumor that Dickert is pushing hard for Eric Morris to be his new OC. Morris, if you remember, was our inside receivers coach under Leach in 2012 before accepting the OC job at Texas Tech, where he put up huge numbers (including Patrick Mahomes tenure) there.

He served as the TT OC for 5 years before accepting the head coaching job at Incarnate Word. In his time at Incarnate Word, he was named regional coach of the year in 2018, taking a program that went 1-10 previously and leading them to a 6-4 record and the programs first ever FCS playoff appearance. This season has been Incarnate Word's best in program history. They're currently 10-2 after their first round victory in the FCS playoffs.

Looks like he runs the Air Raid, but his version is much different than Leach's, with a 30-40% running play rate. They average 127 yards rushing/game this season.

Not sure if there's any validity to this, but it's the silly season, so what the Hell?

Eric Morris

Sounds like a good one but if he’s done well at a small school as HC I’d think he’s looking to make a jump as a HC not back to OC?

 

[CougPatrol]

Check out the who's who of testimonials for Eric Morris after he was hired by Incarnate Word.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

TEXAS TECH HEAD COACH KLIFF KINGSBURY
"Coach Morris is one of the brightest offensive minds in college football, and he did an incredible job for us. I cannot thank him enough for his contributions to Texas Tech, and I know UIW is in great hands to take their program to the next level."

OKLAHOMA HEAD COACH LINCOLN RILEY
“UIW is getting a really good one in Eric Morris. He was an accomplished player and has become an outstanding coach that will be a great leader for the program.”

BOWLING GREEN HEAD COACH MIKE JINKS
“Eric Morris is a great hire. He, Kliff (Kingsbury) and I all got to Texas Tech around the same time. Eric is one of the brightest offensive minds in the country. He has been Kliff’s right-hand man for the last five years and I’m happy he’s getting this opportunity.”

ARKANSAS STATE HEAD COACH BLAKE ANDERSON
" UIW made a great hire. Eric is an innovative mind with tremendous energy. He’s an even better person than he is a coach. He’ll be a great addition to the league and I expect him to do great things at UIW.”

 

[Brent H.]

Sounds like a good one but if he’s done well at a small school as HC I’d think he’s looking to make a jump as a HC not back to OC?

It seems to be a trend that fcs coaches are jumping at P5 OC/DC jobs to try and get their name out there. Also there is more money involved. He’s been at Incarnate Word for 5 years and he put up insane numbers at Tech and they stilled hired a coach who’s only been coaching college for 5 years and has no experience coordinating in college instead was a big time high school coach.

 

[ShockandAweWSU]

Wouldn't mind this one bit. He is a good recruiter and has some great connections. He was extremely liked by the wrs when he was here for his brief time.

 

[Coug90]

It seems to be a trend that fcs coaches are jumping at P5 OC/DC jobs to try and get their name out there. Also there is more money involved. He’s been at Incarnate Word for 5 years and he put up insane numbers at Tech and they stilled hired a coach who’s only been coaching college for 5 years and has no experience coordinating in college instead was a big time high school coach.

My bad I thought he was the OC at Tech. So he’s not been a P5 OC? I can see how that would make sense now. Still surprised he hasn’t made another move with his success and resume. Sounds like would be a great hire if there’s any truth to the rumor.

 

[Brent H.]

My bad I thought he was the OC at Tech. So he’s not been a P5 OC? I can see how that would make sense now. Still surprised he hasn’t made another move with his success and resume. Sounds like would be a great hire if there’s any truth to the rumor.

He was when they had Mahomes but now he’s at Incarnate Word and putting up insane numbers. The coach that Tech just hired from Baylor has never been a coordinator at the college level. I bet Morris really wanted that job but never got a look. Maybe he’s trying to pat the resume to get bigger looks. You don’t see schools dipping down to the fcs much anymore to get coaches.

 

[95coug]

The rumor, which again is unsubstantiated but makes sense, is that Dickert is apprehensive about sticking with the Run and Shoot due to the limited coaching pool. The few coaches there are who have experience running that offense have ties to Rolovich and June Jones, and that may also be raising some concerns.

I'd say that's a very valid concern.

Morris' resume looks pretty good. I like the idea of 30-40% run out of the AR/R&S offense, that should keep the defense honest and keep them away from the easy rush 3/drop 8. Neither Leach or Rolo ran the ball enough. BUT...I also think we should maintain the threat of using the RBs as receivers. I don't think Borghi needed to have 80 catches per year, but I also think that having less than 20 means we're underusing him.

 

[COUGinNCW]

There’s an opening at Fresno State and possible one at Nevada. I would think those would be better jobs if you wanted to be a P5 head coach in the future (if he’s a candidate).

 

[etowncoug]

Jeff Choate is another coach who went from a HC at the FCS level (turned around MSU) to a co-defensive coordinator at Texas. Not sure why he wasn't getting looks as a G5 guy given his experience is beyond me.

 

[CougInSpain]

I wonder if the lack of interest from FBS schools for HC vacancies would inspire him to take that leap to OC here? With a possible tag of Asst HC?

 

[ShockandAweWSU]

He's would probably double his salary by taking a Pac 12 OC job.

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

AR doesn't bode well for JDL IMHO, even though he was recruited to it.

That being said, he's shown incremental improvement over the season, so we'd have to see.

That being said, I think that if CJD can hire a competent AR coach and he continues to bolster our defense we could be dangerous in 2-3 years.

 

[SDCoug]

Sounds like a good one but if he’s done well at a small school as HC I’d think he’s looking to make a jump as a HC not back to OC?

Griz coach Bobby Hauck makes a salary of $205K with a possible $279k in bonus money. In 2019 on his old salary he made a total of $295K ($185K +$110K).

Link

He’s beloved in Missoula. During his first stint with the Griz he won seven conference championships and made three appearances in the national title game. Expectations are that he will get them back to the championship game and win them another title (1995, 2001).

Between stints with the Griz he had a tough time as head coach at UNLV and SDSU.

My point is, FCS success as a head coach is no guarantee of getting it at the next level of head coaching (e.g. Baldwin, Wulff). Stepping into an OC role at the P5 level may be a better path. And one that could probably yield more money than he is getting at UIW.

Hope there is some truth to the rumors.

 

[SDCoug]

Jeff Choate is another coach who went from a HC at the FCS level (turned around MSU) to a co-defensive coordinator at Texas. Not sure why he wasn't getting looks as a G5 guy given his experience is beyond me.

He was in the running for Donkey State but didn’t get the gig.

 

[sellas]

AR doesn't bode well for JDL IMHO, even though he was recruited to it.

That being said, he's shown incremental improvement over the season, so we'd have to see.

That being said, I think that if CJD can hire a competent AR coach and he continues to bolster our defense we could be dangerous in 2-3 years.

AR would be easier for JDL

 

[walzuu]

Cmon patrol at least give me my credit I’m here too ya know

Good conversation all. The fact he will draw interest from FBS schools for a HC job is my concern as well. Would not be surprised to see him in the conversation at La Tech.

Let’s hope WSU can pull this one out as he is a great recruiter, great offensive mind, and seems to be our first choice!

 

[CougPatrol]

There’s so much that we don’t know, starting with the fact that he might not even be a legitimate candidate, it’s hard to connect the dots.

Since we’re speculating, maybe he sees a multi-year tenure with a young defensive coach like Dickert who’ll let him completely run his offense as an exciting opportunity? Factor in that JDL is considered to be one of the best QBs in the P12, and Morris would have a pretty solid resume. OC for Mahomes, head coach at IW who led them to program firsts, OC at WSU where JDL becomes P12 offensive POY.

Maybe this was a key Dickert negotiation tool with Chun? “I’ll take the job at an entry level salary provided you allocate $1M/year for a top offensive coordinator?

As for JDL not being an air raid guy, you’re not accounting for how variable the air raid is under different coaches. Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray wouldn’t fit well in Leach’s system either.