STILLWATER – It appears Eric Morris has found his second-on-command on the field. According to a report by Football Scoop, Oklahoma State is set to hire Drew Svoboda, a veteran coach who’s currently serving as North Texas’ interim head coach, is set to become special teams coordinator, tight ends coach and the associate head coach.
Svoboda is set to coach the Mean Green in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, with an official announcement coming after the game.
Svoboda joined Morris’ staff at North Texas ahead of the 2023 season, serving as the associate head coach and special teams coordinator, with him taking over tight ends as well in 2024.
One of the best special teams coordinators in the country, Svoboda has a solid track record churning out some stellar special teams units. He earned a Frank Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year nomination following his first season in Denton as his special teams unit ranked 18th nationally, according to Pro Football Focus, and first in the American Conference. In 2024, the kickoff coverage team was ranked ninth nationally, as they allowed 16 yards per kickoff return throughout the season.
Svoboda got his college start with Rice in 2018, after spending 18 years in the high school ranks. He was the running backs coach his first season, before taking over as the special teams coordinator and fullbacks in 2019-20.
He joined the coaching staff at Memphis for a brief stint during spring football as the special teams coordinator in 2021, before joining the coaching staff at Alabama in the same role, as well as tight ends that fall. He was a senior special assistant for special teams and the offense at Alabama in 2022, before joining the Mean Green staff in 2023.
