ATLANTA (Sept. 15, 2026) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced that Oklahoma State head football coach Eric Morris has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week.

The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

In his first home game as head coach of the Cowboys, Morris made a lasting impression on the Oklahoma State faithful, engineering a 39-31 upset victory over No. 6 Oregon. Coaching many of the same players he recruited as head coach of North Texas, Morris' offensive game plan lived up to the reputation that followed him to Stillwater. Sophomore quarterback Drew Mestemaker led the way for the Cowboys, completing 26 of his 43 pass attempts for 317 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The signal caller also contributed on the ground when it mattered most, scrambling for a 10-yard rushing touchdown to put the Pokes in front, 36-31 late in the fourth quarter. Joining Mestemaker in the backfield was fellow sophomore standout Caleb Hawkins, who led the Cowboys with 110 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Wyatt Young was Mestemaker's top target en route to victory, catching five passes for a team-best 121 yards and a score. Morris' defense also showed up in the clutch, holding Oregon's potent offense without a first down for the entire fourth quarter to clinch the stunning victory.

Oklahoma State's upset of No. 6 Oregon marked the program's highest-ranked victory since toppling sixth-ranked Texas 38-35 in their 2018 homecoming game. The Cowboys' win also closed the book on a home-and-home series with Oregon, avenging a 69-3 loss on the Ducks' home field in 2025.

Morris has only been the head coach at Oklahoma State since November, but his impact on the program's culture is already evident. Saturday's win was the Cowboys' first since their season opener a year ago, and their first win over an FBS program since September 7, 2024 against Arkansas. Under Morris, the program will be in search of its first winning season since 2023, a benchmark that the Cowboys had reached in each of the prior 18 seasons.

"The Oklahoma State fanbase was so excited when Eric Morris was announced as the program's head coach less than a year ago, and now he is taking his opportunity to prove them right," said Chairman of the Boddy Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "We're looking forward to watching Coach Morris continue to restore a proud program in Stillwater."

Off the football field, Oklahoma State players have had success in the classroom, recording a 990 Academic Progress Rate and an 88 Graduation Success Rate during the 2024 season. The Graduation Success Rate measures the number of student-athletes who graduate from their school within six years of entering.

"Oklahoma State sent a message on Saturday that they are ready for the national spotlight," said Peach Bowl, Inc. President and CEO David Epps. "Coach Morris has seen success at many different levels, and he looks more than prepared to bring his leadership to the ranks of the Big 12. We look forward to watching the strides his program makes, on and off the field"

Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy, college football's most coveted national coaching award, celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's coaching philosophy. The award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.

A panel consisting of all previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2026 season. The winner of the 2026 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.