With most universities enjoying the height of summer, one Big 12 school has decided to make a drastic change to its athletic department ahead of the new school year and the 2024 college football season.
On Thursday, the University of Houston announced that athletic director Chris Pezman will no longer be serving in that role. In a statement, University of Houston president Renu Khator called the decision “difficult but necessary” as they “navigate a paradigm shift in collegiate athletics.”
“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,” Khator said.
Under Pezman’s watch, the Houston football and men’s basketball teams enjoyed some of the best seasons that they’ve had in decades.
The men’s hoops team has enjoyed six straight seasons with at least a share of the conference title, while the football team went 12-2 in 2021 and recently hired Willie Fritz as their new head coach.
Per the announcement, Raymond S. Bartlett will serve as the interim athletic director while the school searches for a permanent one.