Stature and coaches, 1949–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
DynastyBlue BloodPower ProgramNational ProgramRegional Program
Run↔pass identity, by season
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
2024–now
Willie Fritz Steady
Willie Fritz slid Houston from National Program I to National Program II in 3 seasons.
2024 offense ranked in the 3th percentile nationally — historically bad
−2.3 pts over 3 seasons · top 46% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Major Applewhite’s Houston run (2016–2018)
8th-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Dana Holgorsen (2019–2024).
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 4-8 | 10-3 | 6-2 | |
| Postseason | — | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #60 | #52 | #38 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 39.7 | 40.9 | 42.8 | |
| Coordinators | ||||
| OC | Kevin Barbay | Slade Nagle | Slade Nagle | |
| DC | Shiel Wood | Austin Armstrong | Austin Armstrong | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 3 | 36 | 95 | |
| Defense | 72 | 40 | 30 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 41.0 | 35.1 | 40.7 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 33.8 | 35.2 | 33.9 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 42.9 | 40.4 | 43.5 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Underperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.
Offense vs. talent
-31.2 pts
#200 of 208 · bottom quarter
Defense vs. talent
+5.7 pts
#77 of 208 · middle half
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Roster construction · portal era
A portal-built roster.
Portal arrivals
73
3.0★ avg rating
Portal departures
79
left via the portal
Net portal flow
-6
#26 of 187 FBS stints
Notable portal arrivals with a modeled NIL value
Amare Thomas On3 modeled · $788,132Conner Weigman On3 modeled · $1,000,000
On3’s modeled estimate (social reach / exposure), not money actually paid — shown per player, never totaled.
Who they bring in
Typical size for position, once adjusted for position mix.
A typical class-year mix of incoming transfers.
Avg. size (raw)
6′2″, 238 lbs
across 61 of 73 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix
Size vs. position-typical
+2.3 lbs
#184 of 255 · middle half
Avg. class year
Jr
#151 of 255 · middle half
Top states: TX (25), AL (6), GA (5), LA (4), IN (3)
Who won the portal our read
Talent added
58.3
position-weighted
Talent lost
58.9
position-weighted
Net
-0.6
arrivals minus departures
Best addition: Conner Weigman (QB) from Texas A&M
Biggest loss: Austin Carlisle (QB) to UL Monroe
Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.
Roster size, by position
Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)
Quarterback
215 lbs
6′3″ avg · #324 of 767 · middle half
Running back
201 lbs
6′0″ avg · #606 of 791 · bottom quarter
Wide receiver
190 lbs
6′0″ avg · #507 of 791 · middle half
Tight end
247 lbs
6′5″ avg · #298 of 731 · middle half
Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters
Interior line
308 lbs
6′5″ avg · #410 of 779 · middle half
D-line
281 lbs
6′3″ avg · #449 of 753 · middle half
Linebacker
227 lbs
6′2″ avg · #437 of 772 · middle half
Cornerback
191 lbs
6′0″ avg · #345 of 771 · middle half
Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Buys Safety via the portal
85%
#10 of 218 stints
Buys Cornerback via the portal
75%
#27 of 236 stints
Postseason detail2025: Beat LSU 38-35 Kinder's Texas Bowl
1 NFL Draft pick: Tanner Koziol (2026)
−2.3
20-13
2019–2024
Dana Holgorsen Steady
Dana Holgorsen held the Cougars at National Program I for 5 seasons.
No outlier style signal this stint
+1.6 pts over 5 seasons · top 25% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Jeff Quinn’s Buffalo run (2010–2014)
5th-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Major Applewhite (2016–2018) · succeeded by Willie Fritz (2024–now).
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||
| Record | 4-8 | 3-5 | 12-2 | 8-5 | 4-8 | 0-0 | |
| Postseason | — | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #72 | #82 | #81 | #50 | #55 | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||
| Pass rate | 40.3 | 50.4 | 47.1 | 55.5 | 53.1 | — | |
| Coordinators | |||||||
| OC | Marquel Blackwell / Brandon Jones | Shannon Dawson / Brandon Jones | Shannon Dawson / Brandon Jones | Shannon Dawson / Brandon Jones | Eman Naghavi | — | |
| DC | Joe Cauthen / Doug Belk | Joe Cauthen / Doug Belk | Doug Belk | Doug Belk | Doug Belk | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||
| Offense | 42 | 44 | 63 | 93 | 24 | — | |
| Defense | 13 | 45 | 93 | 40 | 29 | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 38.2 | 46.2 | 40.7 | 52.8 | 52.8 | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | 37.6 | 44.8 | 46.3 | 55.0 | 50.0 | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 25.6 | 44.4 | 37.0 | 44.7 | 48.8 | — | |
Recruiter or developer?
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
Offense vs. talent
+1.2 pts
#105 of 208 · middle half
Defense vs. talent
-8.0 pts
#138 of 208 · middle half
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Roster construction · portal era
A typical amount of portal roster-building.
Portal arrivals
41
3.1★ avg rating
Portal departures
56
left via the portal
Net portal flow
-15
#87 of 187 FBS stints
Who they bring in
Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
Avg. size (raw)
6′2″, 235 lbs
across 24 of 41 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix
Size vs. position-typical
+7.3 lbs
#50 of 255 · top quarter
Avg. class year
Sr
#1 of 255 · top quarter
Top states: TX (10), GA (5), MS (2), LA (1), NC (1)
Who won the portal our read
Talent added
57.1
position-weighted
Talent lost
55.7
position-weighted
Net
+1.4
arrivals minus departures
Best addition: Donovan Smith (QB) from Texas Tech
Biggest loss: Logan Holgorsen (QB) to the portal
Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Marquel Blackwell (co) / Brandon Jones (co) → Shannon Dawson / Brandon Jones (co) · 2020
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 38.2% → 46.2% (+7.9 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 78% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
OC: Shannon Dawson / Brandon Jones (co) → Eman Naghavi · 2023
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 52.8% → 52.8% (-0.1 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 23% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: Joe Cauthen / Doug Belk (co) → Doug Belk · 2021The defense leveled up
2-season window either side.
Roster size, by position
Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)
Quarterback
222 lbs
6′3″ avg · #132 of 767 · top quarter
Running back
201 lbs
5′10″ avg · #598 of 791 · bottom quarter
Wide receiver
184 lbs
6′0″ avg · #716 of 791 · bottom quarter
Tight end
244 lbs
6′4″ avg · #408 of 731 · middle half
Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters
Interior line
309 lbs
6′5″ avg · #396 of 779 · middle half
D-line
279 lbs
6′3″ avg · #482 of 753 · middle half
Linebacker
223 lbs
6′1″ avg · #628 of 772 · bottom quarter
Cornerback
189 lbs
5′11″ avg · #438 of 771 · middle half
Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Buys Athlete via the portal
29%
#17 of 146 stints
Buys Linebacker via the portal
62%
#38 of 225 stints
Grows Safety from high school
83%
#185 of 218 stints
Postseason detail2020: Lost to Hawai'i 14-28 New Mexico Bowl2021: Beat Auburn 17-13 TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl2022: Beat Louisiana 23-16 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
12 NFL Draft picks: Josh Jones (2020), Payton Turner (2021), Marquez Stevenson (2021), Grant Stuard (2021), Logan Hall (2022), Marcus Jones (2022), Damarion Williams (2022), Nathaniel Dell (2023) + 4 more
2 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Marcus Jones (2020), Marcus Jones (2021)
+1.6
31-28
2016–2018
Major Applewhite Steady
Major Applewhite held Houston at National Program I for 3 seasons.
2018 defense ranked in the 5th percentile nationally — historically bad
−2.3 pts over 3 seasons · top 46% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Barry Odom’s Missouri run (2016–2019)
4th-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Tom Herman (2015–2016) · succeeded by Dana Holgorsen (2019–2024).
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 0-1 | 7-5 | 8-5 | |
| Postseason | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | #36 | #69 | #73 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 48.2 | 48.0 | 47.0 | |
| Coordinators | ||||
| OC | Major Applewhite | Brian Johnson | Kendal Briles | |
| DC | Todd Orlando | Mark D'Onofrio / Clay Jennings | Mark D'Onofrio | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 31 | 60 | 91 | |
| Defense | 87 | 77 | 5 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 49.0 | 46.4 | 46.6 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 33.3 | 36.2 | 47.4 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 41.9 | 31.7 | 46.4 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
Offense vs. talent
+8.3 pts
#69 of 208 · middle half
Defense vs. talent
+3.8 pts
#83 of 208 · middle half
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Brian Johnson → Kendal Briles · 2018
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 46.4% → 46.6% (+0.2 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 32% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: Mark D'Onofrio / Clay Jennings (co) → Mark D'Onofrio · 2018
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2016: Lost to San Diego State 10-34 Las Vegas Bowl Presented By Geico2017: Lost to Fresno State 27-33 Hawai'i Bowl2018: Lost to Army 14-70 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
7 NFL Draft picks: Tyus Bowser (2017), Howard Wilson (2017), Brandon Wilson (2017), Matthew Adams (2018), Ed Oliver (2019), Isaiah Johnson (2019), Emeke Egbule (2019)
−2.3
15-11
2014
David Gibbs Short tenure
No outlier style signal this stint
1-0
2012–2014
Tony Levine Steady
Tony Levine held Houston at National Program II for 3 seasons.
No outlier style signal this stint
+0.5 pts over 3 seasons · top 32% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Lou Tepper’s Illinois run (1992–1996)
10th-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Kevin Sumlin (2008–2011) · succeeded by Tom Herman (2015–2016).
System Shift, on departure
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 5-7 | 8-5 | 7-5 | |
| Postseason | — | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #56 | #57 | #75 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 60.1 | 54.4 | 47.6 | |
| Coordinators | ||||
| OC | — | — | Travis Bush | |
| DC | — | — | David Gibbs | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 23 | 8 | 85 | |
| Defense | 57 | 88 | 68 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 57.7 | 51.5 | 48.3 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 53.5 | 41.6 | 39.4 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 32.4 | 20.9 | 37.2 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Grows Running back from high school
100%
#196 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2013: Lost to Vanderbilt 24-41 Bbva Compass Bowl
1 NFL Draft pick: D.J. Hayden (2013)
+0.5
21-17
2008–2011
Kevin Sumlin Steady≈
Kevin Sumlin moved Houston from Regional Program II to National Program II in 4 seasons.
Averaged a 60% pass rate — among the most pass-heavy stretches in FBS since 2004
+11.0 pts over 4 seasons · top 4% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Hugh Freeze’s Ole Miss run (2012–2016)
11th-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Art Briles (2003–2007) · succeeded by Tony Levine (2012–2014).
System Shift, on arrival
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 8-5 | 10-4 | 5-7 | 12-1 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | L bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #77 | #68 | #55 | #73 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | 60.0 | 65.0 | 54.1 | 61.9 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | 98 | 99 | 79 | 97 | |
| Defense | 61 | 5 | 11 | 77 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | 57.7 | 62.9 | 46.3 | 62.4 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 51.4 | 52.0 | 40.0 | 42.1 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 37.5 | 27.7 | 40.0 | 36.0 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Grows Running back from high school
100%
#196 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2008: Beat Air Force 34-28 Bowl2009: Lost to Air Force 20-47 Bowl
2 NFL Draft picks: Sebastian Vollmer (2009), Fendi Onobun (2010)
+11.0
35-17
2003–2007
Art Briles Steady
Art Briles moved the Cougars from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 5 seasons.
2004 defense ranked in the 4th percentile nationally — historically bad
+2.7 pts over 5 seasons · top 21% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Dan Mullen’s Florida run (2018–2021)
12th-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Dana Dimel (2000–2002) · succeeded by Kevin Sumlin (2008–2011).
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 7-6 | 3-8 | 6-6 | 10-4 | 8-4 | |
| Postseason | L bowl | — | L bowl | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | #76 | #79 | #83 | #66 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | — | 43.2 | 46.6 | 47.6 | 42.2 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | — | 63 | 66 | 94 | 67 | |
| Defense | — | 4 | 44 | 5 | 19 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | 33.3 | 38.6 | 46.5 | 36.7 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | 48.3 | 33.9 | 38.5 | 34.0 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | 28.9 | 39.2 | 50.0 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2003: Lost to Hawai'i 48-54 Bowl2005: Lost to Kansas 13-42 Bowl2006: Lost to South Carolina 36-44 Bowl
4 NFL Draft picks: Rex Hadnot (2004), Stanford Routt (2005), Kevin Kolb (2007), Donnie Avery (2008)
+2.7
34-28
2000–2002
Dana Dimel Steady
Dana Dimel slid Houston from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.
−6.9 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 26% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: George Chaump’s Navy run (1990–1994)
13th-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Kim Helton (1993–1999) · succeeded by Art Briles (2003–2007).
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows D-line from high school
100%
#214 of 239 stints
1 NFL Draft pick: Hanik Milligan (2003)
−6.9
8-26
1993–1999
Kim Helton Decliner
the Cougars fell from Power Program III to Regional Program I under Kim Helton.
−20.8 pts over 7 seasons · bottom 1% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Thomas Cahill’s Army run (1966–1973)
6th-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed John Jenkins (1990–1992) · succeeded by Dana Dimel (2000–2002).
| Season | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||
| Record | 1-9-1 | 1-10 | 2-9 | 7-5 | 3-8 | 3-8 | 7-4 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | L bowl | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1996: Lost to Syracuse 17-30 Bowl
11 NFL Draft picks: Allen Aldridge (1994), Lamar Smith (1994), Ryan McCoy (1994), Billy Milner (1995), Antowain Smith (1997), Delmonico Montgomery (1997), Marcus Spriggs (1997), Chuck Clements (1997) + 3 more
−20.8
24-53-1
1990–1992
John Jenkins Steady
John Jenkins held Houston at Power Program III for 3 seasons.
−1.7 pts over 3 seasons · top 42% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Tim Beckman’s Toledo run (2009–2011)
2nd-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Jack Pardee (1987–1989) · succeeded by Kim Helton (1993–1999).
4 NFL Draft picks: Reggie Burnette (1991), David Klingler (1992), Glenn Cadrez (1992), John Brown (1992)
−1.7
18-15
1987–1989
Jack Pardee Builder≈
Jack Pardee raised the Cougars from National Program II to Power Program III.
+13.3 pts over 3 seasons · top 3% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Lane Kiffin’s Florida Atlantic run (2017–2019)
3rd-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Bill Yeoman (1962–1986) · succeeded by John Jenkins (1990–1992).
| Season | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 4-6-1 | 9-3 | 9-2 | |
| Postseason | — | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1988: Lost to Washington State 22-24 Bowl
7 NFL Draft picks: Johnny Jackson (1989), Glenn Montgomery (1989), Andre Ware (1990), Lamar Lathon (1990), Alton Montgomery (1990), Alfred Oglesby (1990), Craig Veasey (1990)
+13.3
22-11-1
1962–1986
Bill Yeoman Transformer
Bill Yeoman took Houston from National Program III to Power Program I.
+26.1 pts over 25 seasons · top 14% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Gary Patterson’s TCU run (2000–2021)
1st-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Hal Lahar (1957–1961) · succeeded by Jack Pardee (1987–1989).
| Season | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Record | 7-4 | 2-8 | 2-6-1 | 4-5-1 | 8-2 | 7-3 | 6-2-2 | 9-2 | 8-3 | 9-3 | 6-4-1 | 11-1 | 8-3-1 | 2-8 | 10-2 | 6-5 | 9-3 | 11-1 | 7-5 | 7-4-1 | 5-5-1 | 4-7 | 7-5 | 4-7 | 1-10 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | L bowl | — | W bowl | L bowl | — | W bowl | — | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | — | — | L bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1971: Lost to Colorado 17-29 Bowl1973: Beat Tulane 47-7 Bowl1974: Tied NC State 31-31 Bowl1976: Beat Maryland 30-21 Bowl1978: Lost to Notre Dame 34-35 Bowl1979: Beat Nebraska 17-14 Bowl1980: Beat Navy 35-0 Bowl1981: Lost to Oklahoma 14-40 Bowl1984: Lost to Boston College 28-45 Bowl
49 NFL Draft picks: Bo Burris (1967), Thomas Beer (1967), Carl Cunningham (1967), Dick Post (1967), Ken Hebert (1968), Warren McVea (1968), Gus Hollomon (1968), Paul Gipson (1969) + 41 more
+26.1
160-108-8
1957–1961
Hal Lahar Steady
Hal Lahar slid the Cougars from National Program II to National Program III in 5 seasons.
−2.9 pts over 5 seasons · top 50% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: John Bobo’s Arkansas State run (1993–1996)
9th-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Bill Meek (1955–1956) · succeeded by Bill Yeoman (1962–1986).
−2.9
24-23-2
1949–1954
Clyde Lee Steady
Clyde Lee held the Cougars at National Program II for 6 seasons.
7th-best Houston tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Succeeded by Bill Meek (1955–1956).
National Program II
32-26-2