Oklahoma State Football's New Era: Inside the Contracts and Continuity Driving Eric Morris' Staff
With a fresh coaching staff and revamped front office in Stillwater, Oklahoma State football is turning the page-and the numbers behind that transition are now public. Head coach Eric Morris, who arrived from North Texas, brought a familiar crew with him, aiming to hit the ground running in Year 1. Continuity, in his eyes, isn’t just a bonus-it’s a necessity.
“I always think continuity in this sport is huge,” Morris said last week. “It was really important for me to be able to bring the coaching staff over and you pick up where you left off.
The biggest challenge for the coaching staff now and something that I've harped with those guys is we can't assume. We have to start with a blank slate and assume no one in your meeting room knows anything.
That can be a little hectic."
That approach-familiar faces, fresh start-carries over into the contractual details, which were approved at the Jan. 30 Board of Regents meeting and obtained via FOIA request.
Incentives Built for Success
Every assistant coach and both coordinators have performance-based bonuses baked into their deals. These include:
- $10,000 for winning the Big 12 Championship Game
- $5,000 for finishing in the Top 10 nationally
- $3,000 for a final ranking between 11-15
- $2,000 for finishing ranked 16-25
- Additional bonuses are also on the table if the Cowboys make the College Football Playoff
These incentives aren’t just window dressing-they reflect a program aiming to compete at the highest level under new leadership. They also set the tone for a coaching staff that’s expected to deliver results quickly.
Contract Structure: Who’s Signed and for How Long?
Two key figures-defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity and associate head coach/special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Drew Svoboda-are locked in through January 31, 2029, each on three-year deals. The rest of the staff is on two-year contracts running through January 31, 2028.
That staggered structure gives the Cowboys flexibility while also providing stability at the top of the coaching hierarchy. It’s a model that allows Morris to build continuity while still having room to adjust as needed in the coming seasons.
Front Office: A Modern Football Operation
Behind the scenes, Oklahoma State’s football infrastructure is also getting a boost. The combined salaries of the program’s top three front office personnel total $730,000:
- Raj Murti, General Manager: $280,000
- Ethan Russo, Executive Director of Player Personnel: $150,000
- Rolando Surita III, Chief of Staff: $300,000
These roles are increasingly vital in today’s college football landscape, where roster management, recruiting coordination, and operational efficiency can make or break a program. The investment in these positions signals Oklahoma State’s commitment to a modern, professionalized football operation.
Coaching Salaries: Who’s Making What?
Here’s the annual breakdown for each assistant coach on Morris’ staff:
- Running backs coach Patrick Cobbs: $500,000
- Defensive line coach Greg Richmond: $450,000
- Cornerbacks coach Julian Wilson: $400,000
- Linebackers coach Reggie Johnson: $400,000
- Defensive backs coach Jordan Malone: $350,000
- Assistant defensive line coach Mike O’Guin: $250,000
These salaries reflect both experience and positional importance. Cobbs, a former NFL back with ties to Morris from their North Texas days, leads the group with a $500,000 salary. Richmond, a former Cowboy standout, continues his tenure on the defensive line, while Wilson, Malone, and Johnson round out a defensive staff tasked with building a unit that can contend in the Big 12.
The Bottom Line
Oklahoma State’s football program is entering a new chapter under Eric Morris, and the contracts reflect a calculated blend of familiarity, ambition, and structure. With a staff largely imported from North Texas and a front office built for the modern game, the Cowboys are betting on cohesion and culture to drive results.
The pieces are in place. Now it’s about execution-on the field, in the meeting rooms, and across every facet of the program.