The Houston Cougars are led by veteran college football coach Willie Fritz, who was hired in December 2023. Fritz brought 33 years of head coaching experience to UH, with previous success at Blinn College, Central Missouri, Sam Houston State, Georgia Southern, and, most notably, Tulane, where he led a dramatic turnaround and won an AAC title.
Fritz is recognized for his program-building skills. He won multiple conference championships and earned accolades such as back-to-back American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors before arriving at Houston. He is among the nation’s winningest active FBS coaches, with over 250 career victories.
Since joining the Cougars, Fritz has immediately transformed the program’s culture and competitiveness. His first season in 2024 was a rebuilding year, but in 2025, Houston has shown a significant leap in performance, including wins over top programs like Utah, Kansas State, and TCU.
Fritz has strategically rebuilt the team roster through the transfer portal and strong recruiting, prioritizing local talent and enhancing depth at key positions. Earlier this month, he secured a commitment from 5-star quarterback Keisean Henderson for the 2026 class.
However, on Friday night, the Cougars struggled with play-calling on first and second downs and had a rocky start against Oregon State’s defensive unit. Looking ahead, the Cougars will jump straight into Big 12 play next week, starting with a home game against Texas Tech, followed by an away trip to Oklahoma State.