As the college football world waits to find out which four teams will make up this year’s playoff, Houston made some headlines of its own by announcing the hiring Tulane’s Willie Fritz as its next head coach.
“No one in the country has been better at leading and developing student-athletes than Willie Fritz,” Houston athletic director Chris Pezman said in a statement. “Over his more than three-decades of head coaching experience, he has guided several football programs to historic success.”
The 63-year-old Fritz has been the head coach of the Green Wave since 2016, leading the program to a 54-47 record over the course of eight seasons. Tulane has won at least 11 games in each of the past two seasons, including a 12-2 mark in 2022 and an 11-2 record this past season, including a perfect 8-0 run in AAC regular-season play. The 17th-ranked Green Wave, however, fell short of a second consecutive conference championship, losing to No. 25 SMU 26-14 in the AAC Championship Game on Saturday.
Coaching veteran set to lead the Coogs.
Welcome, the 16th head coach in Houston history – Willie Fritz
🔗: https://t.co/iqVKy0dnPV@CoachWEFritz | #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/LAfdthEDi9
— Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) December 3, 2023
Prior to his time at Tulane, Fritz spent time as the head coach at Georgia Southern (2014-2015), Sam Houston State (2010-2013) and Central Missouri (1997-2009). Over the course of his career, the reigning two-time AAC Coach of the Year has amassed a 208-116 record and won five conference titles.
In heading to Houston, Fritz will take over a Cougars program that is coming off a 4-8 debut season as a member of the Big 12, including a 2-7 record in conference play. Following the firing of head coach Dana Holgorsen, Houston will now turn to Fritz to lead the Cougars as they look to take advantage of the upcoming departures of Texas and Oklahoma to to SEC.
Following the news of Houston’s hiring of Fritz, many took to social media to weigh in.
Willie Fritz rules and has always ruled, and he finally gets a shot at a power conference job. Really hate it for Tulane, but the infrastructure's 5000x better than it was when Fritz was hired, at least. https://t.co/iAY0ZC8ip5
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) December 3, 2023
Ugh extremely bummed for Tulane. Selfishly wanted Willie to retire with the Wave. Good hire for Houston. https://t.co/C0h28C9Tfq
— 🇸🇲 Sickos Committee 🇸🇲 (@SickosCommittee) December 3, 2023
Great hire by Houston. Nagle should get consideration for Tulane's permanent HC role, along with others such as Florida State OC Alex Atkins (former Tulane assistant). https://t.co/v5IvdvkQBJ
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 3, 2023
Fritz has won everywhere he’s ever been. I trust it will be the same at UH. Cougar fans should be excited about this hire! https://t.co/5BJBWMd41K
— Taylor McHargue (@TMcHargue16) December 3, 2023
This is depressing, but I understand
I have to be gracious. Tulane was a joke and Fritz turned us into a serious program. There is a good foundation for the next coach to win here.
Thank you Willie Fritz. I’m gonna miss you. https://t.co/BRFNDl1Er2
— the Wave must roll (@sohowistexas) December 3, 2023
No wonder Tulane mailed it in yesterday. https://t.co/Vy0v1q5XH2
— T (@tdgator9) December 3, 2023
Sad weekend for Tulane football. Thanks for everything you did for Tulane coach, wish you nothing but luck for the future. @CoachWEFritz https://t.co/jnYOucsDow
— Noah Singer (@noahisasinger) December 3, 2023
https://twitter.com/TheNickDias/status/1731343448907919826
[Houston]
