Houston is reportedly nearing the announcement of a new athletic director, with two leading candidates in the mix

The university has moved ahead with the hiring process to replace Chris Pezman

The University of Houston is close to appointing its next athletic director, nearly two months after Chris Pezman’s dismissal, who served in the role for six years.

Eddie Nunez, the current athletic director at New Mexico, and David Fletcher, general manager of Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, are reported as the top candidates, according to the Houston Chronicle. Sources suggest Nunez is the frontrunner, but others in the running include Stephanie Rempe, athletic director at Nevada, and Keli Zinn, executive deputy athletic director at LSU.

Pezman, instrumental in helping Houston join the Big 12 Conference, was let go in June, with two years remaining on his contract. He significantly contributed to the advancement of the university’s athletic programs academically and competitively, although the past year has been tough for the Cougars. Their first season in the Big 12 saw a mix of successes and challenges.

The men’s basketball team reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, and the volleyball team also made it to the tournament, but other teams struggled, especially the football team, which ended the season with a disappointing 4-8 record. This led to the firing of head coach Dana Holgorsen, who is set to receive over $ 14 million in buyout payments.

Moreover, the athletic department faces financial difficulties. Despite being part of the Power 4 conferences, UH has the smallest budget among its peers and depends significantly on subsidies from the university and student fees. The new athletic director will need to confront these financial challenges while working to enhance the performance and reputation of Houston’s athletic programs.