The University of Houston has decided to part ways with football coach Dana Holgorsen, bringing an end to his five-year tenure, which saw the Cougars undergo both highs and lows.
Holgorsen’s departure comes on the heels of a season in which the Cougars went 4-8 in their inaugural Big 12 campaign. This challenging season included unexpected losses, including a setback against Rice in September and a trio of consecutive defeats to close out the year. Within the Big 12, Houston managed a 2-7 record, securing victories in overtime against Baylor and with a dramatic last-second, 49-yard touchdown against West Virginia.
The decision carries financial implications, as the Cougars will owe Holgorsen an approximate buyout sum of $14.8 million, although the contract includes a mitigation clause that could potentially reduce the amount should Holgorsen secure another coaching position.
While acknowledging Holgorsen’s contributions to the program, Houston’s athletic director, Chris Pezman, expressed the university’s decision, stating, “Over the course of his five seasons with the Cougars, Dana made strides in our football program in many ways and laid the groundwork for our transition to the Big 12 Conference. Ultimately, the results on the field fell below our standards of excellence. We are grateful to Dana for his efforts and commitment to our student-athletes and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
Holgorsen’s tenure at Houston featured notable accomplishments, including an invitation to join the Big 12 and a successful 12-2 season in 2021, highlighted by a Birmingham Bowl victory over Auburn.
As Houston looks ahead, the university is anticipated to conduct a targeted coaching search, with sources indicating that Willie Fritz of Tulane and Jeff Traylor of UTSA are among the prime candidates. The Cougars are seeking a leader who can bring stability and experience to the program as they strive to establish themselves as a competitive force within the Big 12. Their transition into the conference has placed an emphasis on building a strong foundation for future success, with the goal of rising in the conference standings.
Holgorsen concludes his tenure at Houston with a cumulative record of 31 wins and 28 losses.