The push to compete: The inside story of UNT's efforts to keep Chandler Morris, lay out a path in the NIL era

Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, August 14th 2025 at 11:58 GMT by Dallas Morning News
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The Inside Story of UNT's Efforts to Keep Chandler Morris and Navigate the NIL Era

In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, where Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have transformed the sport into a quasi-professional arena, the University of North Texas (UNT) found itself at a crossroads. At the center of this drama was quarterback Chandler Morris, a talented signal-caller whose potential departure threatened to derail the Mean Green's aspirations. This story, drawn from in-depth reporting, reveals the behind-the-scenes scramble by UNT's athletic department, coaches, boosters, and university leaders to retain Morris amid the financial temptations of the NIL era. It's a tale that underscores the challenges faced by Group of Five programs like UNT in competing with Power Five powerhouses, where NIL collectives can offer life-changing sums to top talent.

Chandler Morris arrived at UNT with a pedigree that belied his under-the-radar status. The son of former SMU and Arkansas head coach Chad Morris, Chandler had begun his college career at Oklahoma before transferring to TCU, where he showed flashes of brilliance but struggled for consistent playing time. Seeking a fresh start, he landed at UNT in 2023, quickly establishing himself as a dynamic quarterback capable of leading the Mean Green offense. In his first season, Morris threw for over 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns, injecting hope into a program that has long aspired to break through in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). But as the 2023 season wound down, whispers of discontent emerged. Morris, eligible for another year, began exploring transfer options, drawn by the allure of bigger programs and, crucially, more lucrative NIL opportunities.

The NIL era, ushered in by NCAA rule changes in 2021, allows athletes to profit from their personal brands through endorsements, sponsorships, and collectives—fan-funded organizations that pool resources to compensate players. For schools like UNT, which lack the massive alumni networks and television revenue of SEC or Big Ten giants, keeping pace is a Herculean task. UNT's athletic director, Jared Mosley, acknowledged the shift in a candid interview, noting that "NIL has changed everything. It's not just about facilities or coaching anymore; it's about dollars." Morris's situation exemplified this: scouts and agents were circling, with rumors linking him to schools like Auburn or even back to TCU, where NIL deals could easily eclipse what UNT could muster.

Enter the frantic efforts to retain him. Head coach Eric Morris (no relation to Chandler) and his staff knew they had a gem on their hands. Eric, who had previously coached at Washington State and Incarnate Word, emphasized building a family-like culture, but he recognized that culture alone wouldn't suffice in the NIL world. "We had to get creative," he said. The university rallied its resources, tapping into the Mean Green Collective, UNT's official NIL arm. Boosters, many from the Dallas-Fort Worth business community, were mobilized. One key figure was Ross Perot Jr., a prominent UNT supporter and son of the late billionaire, who helped spearhead fundraising drives. Alumni events turned into NIL pitch sessions, with donors urged to contribute not just to scholarships but directly to player retention funds.

The negotiations were intense and multifaceted. Chandler Morris, represented by agents savvy in the NIL marketplace, weighed offers that included not only playing time but also endorsement deals tied to local brands. UNT countered by highlighting its proximity to the Dallas media market, where Morris could build his brand without the intense scrutiny of a Power Five program. Coaches arranged meetings with potential sponsors, from auto dealerships to energy companies, promising Morris visibility in commercials and social media campaigns. One innovative approach involved partnering with UNT's burgeoning esports and media programs, offering Morris opportunities to leverage his image in non-traditional ways, such as gaming endorsements or podcast appearances.

Behind the scenes, tensions ran high. Athletic department officials described late-night strategy sessions, poring over budgets and donor lists. "We were essentially running a startup in the middle of a football program," one administrator recalled. The university even explored creative financing, like redirecting funds from ticket sales or merchandise to bolster the NIL pool. Eric Morris personally invested time in building a rapport with Chandler, hosting family dinners and emphasizing long-term development over short-term gains. "I told him, 'You can be the guy here, build a legacy, and still get paid what you're worth,'" the coach shared.

The broader context of NIL's impact on programs like UNT cannot be overstated. While Power Five schools boast collectives with multimillion-dollar war chests—think Ohio State's reported $13 million annual NIL budget—Group of Five teams scrape by with far less. UNT's collective, launched in 2022, had grown to a respectable but modest sum, relying on grassroots efforts rather than deep-pocketed donors. This disparity has led to a talent drain, with players like Morris often viewing smaller schools as stepping stones. Yet UNT's story offers a glimmer of hope: by focusing on personalized deals and community ties, they managed to compete. In the end, Morris chose to stay, signing on for the 2024 season in a move announced with fanfare. Sources close to the situation revealed that UNT pieced together an NIL package worth several hundred thousand dollars, combining direct payments, endorsements, and perks like housing stipends.

This retention wasn't just about one player; it signaled UNT's commitment to adapting to the new era. The university has since expanded its NIL infrastructure, hiring dedicated staff to scout deals and educate athletes on financial literacy. Eric Morris views it as a blueprint: "If we can keep a guy like Chandler, it shows recruits we're serious." For Morris himself, the decision boiled down to fit. "UNT gave me a chance when others didn't, and they've backed it up with real support," he said in a post-commitment interview.

Looking ahead, UNT's efforts highlight the precarious balance smaller programs must strike. The NCAA's ongoing legal battles over NIL and revenue sharing could further level the playing field, but for now, ingenuity and hustle are key. As college football hurtles toward a more professional model, stories like this remind us that amid the money and transfers, human elements—loyalty, relationships, and vision—still matter. UNT's successful retention of Chandler Morris isn't just a win for the Mean Green; it's a case study in resilience for every underdog program fighting to thrive in the NIL age.

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