Pezman out as Houston AD after seven years

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

The University of Houston is moving on from athletic director Chris Pezman after seven years, the school announced 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 said, “Chris Pezman has ushered our athletics program through a period of incredible transformation, and we are grateful for his leadership over the past six years. He has been a pivotal part of our entry into the Big 12 Conference and championed the success of student athletes on the field and in the classroom.

“This was a difficult but necessary decision as we navigate a paradigm shift in collegiate athletics. I want to thank Chris for his dedication to UH and to our student athletes. On behalf of the University, I wish Chris and his family the very best.”

Pezman lettered three seasons for the Cougars on the gridiron from 1990-1992, and served as the team’s captain during the 1992 season, before being hired as athletic director on Dec. 11, 2017

During his time as athletic director, the Cougars opened the Fertitta Center in December 2018. Excluding the Covid-19 season, Houston made five consecutive 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 finished 4-8 (2-7) in 2023, their inaugural season in the Big 12 after leaving the American Athletic Conference. In five seasons at Houston, Holgorsen had a 31-28 record.

Pezman hired Willie Fritz as Holgorsen’s replacement in December 2023, after Fritz led Tulane to one of the best stretches in school history.

The school said the search for Pezman’s replacement will begin immediately.