Exclusive: UH Athletic Director Search Down To Two Finalists On Top Elites

The University of Houston has narrowed its search for a new athletic director to two finalists.

The candidates now under consideration are Ryan Alpert, Tennessee’s deputy athletic director, and Eddie Nunez, the athletic director at New Mexico, according to a source familiar with the search.

David Fletcher, general manager of Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, was informed on Thursday that he is no longer in the running.

The Houston Chronicle reported earlier this week that Nunez and Alpert had emerged as the top candidates to replace Chris Pezman, who was dismissed in late June after six years in the role.

Nunez, a former Florida basketball player, has served as athletic director at New Mexico for seven years and previously worked in various roles at LSU for 14 years.

Alpert, who has extensive experience in fundraising and operations within the SEC, has been Tennessee’s deputy athletic director and chief operating officer since 2021. He has overseen major projects totaling over $500 million, including a $337 million renovation of Neyland Stadium, and played a key role in boosting revenue to a record $202 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Alpert was also recently a finalist for the athletic director position at Memphis.

An official announcement about the new hire could be made as soon as next week.

Paper City Houston was the first to report that the search had been narrowed down to these two finalists.

New Mexico athletic director Eddie Nunez is one of two finalists for the vacant position at UH.