Louisiana Tech and Skip Holtz parting ways after season finale

Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz's tenure is over after Saturday's game vs. Rice.

The school announced Friday that Holtz wouldn't continue as the team's coach after the season.

"Skip and I talked and agreed it was time for a change for both parties," Louisiana Tech athletic director Eri Wood said in a statement. "Louisiana Tech owes Skip a debt of gratitude for his loyalty and dedication to our football student-athletes, our University, and our community over the past decade."

"He has been able to accomplish some things that weren't previously done here on a consistent basis prior to his arrival. We continue to be committed to winning conference championships, and that expectation is stronger than ever."

Holtz has a career record of 64-49 at Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs have had just two seasons worse than .500 in Holtz’s nine-year tenure. The first was his first season in 2013. The second is 2021; Louisiana Tech is 3-8 entering the Rice game.

The Bulldogs won 10 games in a 2019 season that ended with an Independence Bowl win. It was the first 10-win season in program history. Tech has won at least nine games in four of Holtz’s seasons. The school had won nine games in three seasons before he arrived.

Holtz replaced Sonny Dykes at Louisiana Tech after Dykes was hired at Cal.

"This is the right time for me to evaluate a new start in my career," said Holtz. "I've had the privilege of mentoring young people and building football programs for more than 30 years, including the last nine as head coach of Louisiana Tech. The past two seasons have brought additional challenges to our program, and I simply think it is time for someone else to have the chance to lead this special group of young men."

Louisiana Tech staying in a remade Conference USA

Louisiana Tech dealt with uncertainty surrounding its conference future this fall as Conference USA fought to stay alive. The conference was raided by the American after three AAC teams left for the Big 12. Six teams from Conference USA announced they were heading to the American, and Louisiana Tech was one of the teams that was left behind in C-USA.

Conference USA ended up adding four teams to replace the six that left. New Mexico State, Liberty, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State are set to join the conference. The latter two schools are moving up from the FCS ranks.