HOUSTON — After five seasons at the helm, Houston Cougars’ head football coach Dana Holgorsen is out, University of Houston Vice President of Athletics Chris Pezman announced on Sunday.
Assistant coach Corby Meekins has been named the team's interim head coach.
"The University of Houston is committed to a championship-caliber football program and ensuring the success of our student-athletes,” Pezman said. “Our search for a new leader begins immediately and I am confident with the incredible fan support, tradition, access to prospective student-athletes and the pending opening of the Memorial Hermann Football Operations Center, we will attract a very strong pool of candidates.
The news of Holgorsen's firing comes less than a day after the team’s final game of the season – a 27-13 loss to Central Florida. Houston finished their first season in the Big 12 a disappointing 4-8.
Houston’s disappointing finish, which included losses in five of its last six games, leaves the team out of a bowl for the first time since Holgorsen’s first season in 2019.
Overall, Holgorsen was 31-28 in his time at the University of Houston.
"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,” Pezman said. “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 joined UH in 2018, coming to Houston from West Virginia after eight seasons there. His best year as Houston’s coach was in 2021 when the team went 12-2 and finished at No. 17 in the AP poll. That year, the Coogs made an appearance in the American Athletic Conference championship and beat Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl.
Holgorsen signed a contract extension in 2022 that would have taken him through the 2027 season. He's owed approximately $14.8 million, according to USA Today's database on coaching salaries.
Holgorsen was 61-41 and 33-30 in the Big 12 with West Virginia, which he helped transition from the Big East before joining the Cougars.
