It’s Official: Holgorsen Is Off to Houston

WVU to begin national search for replacement

MORGANTOWN--The rumor that came out of Orlando (Fla.) following No. 16 West Virginia's 34-18 loss to No. 20 Syracuse in the Camping World Bowl has come to fruition.

Dana Holgorsen, who was entering his ninth season at the helm of West Virginia, has elected to take over at the reins at the University of Houston.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dana (Holgorsen) back to Houston as the next leader of our Football program," vice president for Athletics Chris Pezman announced Wednesday. "His offensive acumen with an emphasis on student-athlete development, on and off the field, is a perfect fit for our program, University and city.

"We are looking forward to Dana connecting with our student-athletes and taking over a program that is primed for continued success at the highest level."

The announcement ended days of speculation surrounding Holgorsen and the lack of a contract extension following the Mountaineers' 8-4 season.

"I want to thank Coach Holgorsen for his eight years at West Virginia," Director of Athletics at WVU Shane Lyons said. "We wish him and his family all the best at the University of Houston. Our national search for his replacement has already begun, and I know it will be a successful one.

"A proven record of competitive success, a passion for the student-athlete, emphasis on academics and a strong work ethic are among the qualities that I will be looking for in our next coach. We will move quickly to bring him to Morgantown to continue our strong winning tradition and solidify our place in the Big 12 and on the national scene. We are looking forward to this new and exciting era of Mountaineer football."

Three names which have emerged as the frontrunners to become the school's newest head football coach are longtime defensive coordinator Tony Gibson - the players' choice - as well as current University of Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell and University of Troy coach Neal Brown.

Whoever Lyons and school president E. Gordon Gee elect to bring in to take over the program, they will face a tall task.

Offensively, WVU lost Heisman Trophy candidate Will Grier at quarterback, three of the team's top receivers in Gary Jennings Jr., David Sills V and Martinsburg native Trevon Wesco as well as Big 12 tri-Offensive Lineman of the Year Yodny Cajuste.

Defensively, the announcement by senior-to-be David Long Jr. that he will forgo his final year in Morgantown to pursue his dreams to play in the NFL adds to a unit that has also lost starting linemen Jabril Robinson, Kenny Bigelow Jr., and Ezekiel Rose as well as seniors Dravon Askew-Henry and Toyous Avery Jr. from the secondary.

Holgorsen closed out his tenure in Morgantown as the program's second-most winningest coach - behind Hall of Fame coach Don Nehlen - finishing with an eight-year record of 61-41.

"I'm beyond excited for the opportunity to return to Houston and lead this program," Holgorsen said. "This city and the University of Houston has unlimited potential and I am honored to be a part of it.

"I'd like to thank Tilman Feritta, Renu Khator and Chris Pezman for their trust in my play. I look forward to meeting our student-athletes and establishing a culture that thrives on championship competition, on and off the field."

Details of the contract were not released, but unofficial reports have it at five years for $20 million with a sixth-year option--a contract which immediately makes him the highest paid head coach at a Group of Five school.