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HOUSTON (AP) — Dana Holgorsen is back at the University of Houston.
"It's great to be home," Holgorsen said Thursday at his introductory press conference.
Holgorsen left West Virginia to return to Houston, where he was offensive coordinator from 2008-09.
"When I left here 10 years ago, I left here with a frown," Holgorsen said. "Because, one, I was going to Oklahoma (State), but two, I just loved this city and this university so much. Obviously, things worked out OK."
It was a swift coaching search for the Cougars after firing Major Applewhite on Sunday following his second season.
"We felt like it was time to take it to the next level," University of Houston Board of Regents Chairman Tilman Fertitta said. "We wanted somebody that had the leadership skills to win a lot of games."
The 47-year-old Holgorsen left West Virginia after eight seasons. He was 61-41 with the Mountaineers, leading them to eight bowl games.
The move takes Holgorsen from the Big 12 to the American Athletic Conference.
"I really don't think a whole lot about it," Holgorsen said. "What my job is is to make wherever I'm at the best I can make it. Let's not forget I did transition a team that was a non-Power 5 school."
Holgorsen steps into a program that is coming off an 8-5 season and has won eight or more games in five of the last six years. Since 2013, the Cougars have gone 8-5 three times, 9-4 in 2016 and 13-1 in 2015.
"I took over a program nine years ago that won nine, to me that's positive because guys know how to win," Holgorsen said. "Student-athletes know how to win. Fan base knows how to win. Fan base knows how to rally and show their support. So, that's makes it all the more attractive and exciting."
In the past four seasons, the Cougars have posted a 37-15 record.
"What I look for and what this job has is the opportunity to win," Holgorsen said. "There's an opportunity to win and win big here and win championships."
In 2015, when Houston went 13-1 under current Texas coach Tom Herman, the Cougars won the American Athletic Conference championship and beat then-No. 9 Florida State in the Peach Bowl.
Those are the types of seasons Holgorsen expects the Cougars to return to.
"There's so much to look forward to," Holgorsen said. "The future is extremely bright. I am honored to be here, I am excited to be here. This is not a stepping stone, I've been there and done all that. I'm excited about making this place great and winning championships here and enjoying this great city and this great university."
