The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Houston: a football coaching history

National Program II#43 of 138–
See Houston’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Bill Yeoman
Peaked at Power Program I
Built by
Bill Yeoman
National Program III → Power Program I (+26.1)
The fall
Kim Helton
Power Program III → Regional Program I (−20.8)
Right now
Willie Fritz
the 8th-best of Houston's 13 coaches so far

Stature & 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.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)LeeLaharYeomanHeltonBrilesSumlinHolgorsen1950197019902010

Every coach

2024–now
Willie Fritzcaretaker
Willie Fritz slid Houston from National Program I to National Program II in 3 seasons.
National Program II
14–11
2019–2024
Dana Holgorsencaretaker
Dana Holgorsen held Houston at National Program I for 6 seasons.
National Program I
31–28
2016–2018
Major Applewhitecaretaker
Major Applewhite held Houston at National Program I for 3 seasons.
National Program I
15–11
2015–2016
Tom Hermanshort tenure
22–4
2014–2014
David Gibbsshort tenure
1–0
2012–2014
Tony Levinecaretaker
Tony Levine held Houston at National Program II for 3 seasons.
National Program II
20–17
2008–2011
Kevin Sumlincaretaker
Kevin Sumlin moved Houston from Regional Program II to National Program II in 4 seasons.
+11.0
35–17
2003–2007
Art Brilescaretaker
Art Briles moved Houston from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 5 seasons.
Regional Program II
34–28
2000–2002
Dana Dimelcaretaker
Dana Dimel slid Houston from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.
Regional Program II
8–26
1993–1999
Kim Heltondecliner
Houston fell from Power Program III to Regional Program I under Kim Helton.
−20.8
24–53
1990–1992
John Jenkinscaretaker
John Jenkins held Houston at Power Program III for 3 seasons.
Power Program III
18–15
1987–1989
Jack Pardeebuilder
Jack Pardee raised Houston from National Program II to Power Program III.
+13.3
22–11
1962–1986
Bill Yeomantransformer
Bill Yeoman took Houston from National Program III to Power Program I.
+26.1
160–108
1957–1961
Hal Laharcaretaker
Hal Lahar held Houston at National Program II for 5 seasons.
National Program II
24–23
1955–1956
Bill Meekshort tenure
13–6
1949–1954
Clyde Leecaretaker
Clyde Lee held Houston at National Program II for 6 seasons.
National Program II
32–26