Pezman out as Houston advertisement after 7 years

• Harry Lyles Jr., ESPN Personnel WriterJun 20, 2024, 06:37 PM ET

The University of Houston is proceeding from athletic director Chris Pezman after 7 years, the school revealed on Thursday.Raymond Bartlett,

Houston’s senior vice president for administration and finance, will serve as the interim athletic director.In a statement, university president Renu Khator stated, “Chris Pezman has actually ushered our athletics program through a duration of unbelievable change, and we are grateful for his management over the past 6 years. He has actually been an essential part of our entry into the Huge 12 Conference and championed the success of trainee professional athletes on the field and in the classroom. “This was a tough however required choice as we navigate

a paradigm shift in collegiate athletics. I wish to thank Chris for his commitment to UH and to our trainee professional athletes. On behalf of the University, I wish Chris and his family the absolute best. “Pezman lettered 3 seasons for the Cougars on the gridiron from 1990-1992, and acted as the group’s captain throughout the 1992 season, before being worked with as athletic director on Dec. 11, 2017 Throughout his time as athletic director, the Cougars opened the Fertitta Center in December 2018. Leaving out the Covid-19 season, Houston made 5 successive men’s basketball Sweet 16 appearances.Pezman’s dismissal also comes months after head football coach Dana Holgorsen was fired back in November. The Cougars completed 4-8( 2-7)in 2023, their inaugural season in the Huge 12 after leaving the American Athletic Conference. In 5 seasons at Houston, Holgorsen had a 31-28 record.Pezman employed Willie Fritz as Holgorsen’s replacement in December 2023, after Fritz led Tulane to one of the very best stretches in school history.The school stated the search for Pezman’s replacement will start instantly.