Introduction to UH Football’s Success
It is almost 9 pm on a Sunday night in Rome when Tilman Fertitta, the ambassador to Italy and San Marino, calls back to discuss the University of Houston football team and its coach, Willie Fritz. Fertitta and his son Patrick have been regularly texting and talking about the Cougars’ remarkable 7-1 start and their return to the Top 25 after three years.
The Right Choice
Fertitta expresses his excitement about the team’s performance, stating that he, the university’s chancellor Renu Khator, and athletic director Eddie Nuñez are all thrilled. He believes that the team’s success is a result of making the right choice in hiring Coach Fritz. Fertitta says, "It’s thrilling to be here. I don’t think we’d be here if we hadn’t made the change." The change refers to ending Dana Holgorsen’s coaching run after five years and three losing seasons, which took a significant financial commitment from UH.
Rebuilding the Program
Coach Fritz has completely reenergized the Houston football program, including recruiting in the greater Houston area. The team’s 7-1 start is at least a year ahead of schedule, and their return to national football relevance is impressive. Fertitta notes that beating Arizona and Arizona State, two good football teams, back-to-back is a significant achievement. He also praises the team’s continuous improvement, saying, "The most impressive thing about the team this year is they keep getting better. Defensively, we keep getting better. Offensively, we keep getting better."
A Leader with a Plan
Fertitta recalls the first meeting with Coach Fritz during the hiring process, which seemed to change the course of UH football. He credits the past athletic director, Chris Pezman, and notes that they all liked Fritz’s approach. Fertitta says, "When a guy’s coached at six different places at all different levels and is always successful, why wouldn’t he be successful here? That’s exactly what has happened." He also praises Fritz’s ability to navigate challenges, such as losing his defensive coordinator and changing his offensive coordinator.
UH’s Top 25 Double
The University of Houston is one of seven schools to have teams ranked in both the AP College Football Top 25 and College Basketball Top 25. Fertitta believes that being ranked in both football and basketball at the same time means something, stating, "UH has a history of having powerful athletics. There’s only seven schools in the whole United States ranked in both football and basketball. That’s a compliment to our university."
Conclusion
In conclusion, the University of Houston football team’s success is a result of making the right choice in hiring Coach Willie Fritz. The team’s 7-1 start and return to the Top 25 are impressive, and their continuous improvement is a testament to Fritz’s leadership. As Fertitta notes, being ranked in both football and basketball is a sign of strength, and the university’s athletic program is thriving. With Fertitta’s continued support and enthusiasm, the future of UH football looks bright.
