Here’s a bold statement: the world of college football coaching is about to witness a seismic shift, and it’s all centered around one name—Drew Svoboda. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this move a stepping stone or a game-changer for his career? Let’s dive in.
Drew Svoboda, a seasoned special teams coordinator who honed his craft under the legendary Nick Saban at the University of Alabama, has been a pivotal figure in Eric Morris’s coaching staff at North Texas for the past three seasons. Now, as Svoboda steps into the interim head coach role for North Texas ahead of their New Mexico Bowl matchup against San Diego State, his future is taking a dramatic turn. And this is the part most people miss: Svoboda isn’t just moving on—he’s ascending to a trifecta of roles at Oklahoma State, where he’ll serve as the special teams coordinator, associate head coach, and tight ends coach under Morris.
This transition marks a significant milestone for Svoboda, whose journey from 18 years of high school coaching in Texas to the collegiate ranks began in 2018 at Rice University. Since then, he’s left his mark at Memphis, Alabama, and most recently, North Texas. Here’s the kicker: Oklahoma State’s decision to hire Morris—and by extension, Svoboda—comes on the heels of the program’s dramatic firing of Mike Gundy, the Cowboys’ most successful head coach in history, in September. Talk about a high-stakes reshuffle.
Morris, who led North Texas to the American Conference Championship game against Tulane this season (though they fell short of advancing to the 12-team College Football Playoff), is now tasked with rebuilding Oklahoma State’s legacy. The Morris era officially kicks off on September 5, 2026, with a showdown against in-state rival Tulsa, coached by Tre Lamb. Ironically, it was Tulsa’s early-September victory over Oklahoma State that sealed Gundy’s fate, leading to his dismissal just days later.
For Svoboda, this move isn’t just about changing teams—it’s about stepping into a larger, more influential role in a program hungry for redemption. But here’s the question that’s bound to spark debate: Can Svoboda’s special teams expertise and Morris’s leadership truly transform Oklahoma State into a contender? Or is this just another chapter in the unpredictable saga of college football coaching? Let us know what you think in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.
