Louisiana Tech moving on from Skip Holtz after 9 seasons

Louisiana Tech will sever ties with head coach Skip Holtz after its season finale Saturday against Rice, the university announced Friday.

"Skip and I talked and agreed it was time for a change for both parties," athletic director Eric Wood said. "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 guided the Bulldogs to three Conference USA title games and came up short in all three of them. He won six bowl games in seven years, but he won't qualify for the postseason in 2021.

The Bulldogs are 3-8 heading into their finale and 8-13 over their last two seasons.

"This is the right time for me to evaluate a new start in my career," Holtz said. "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.

"I am not done coaching football and have great passion and energy to continue to lead young men through this game that I love so much. It is just time for me to channel my energies elsewhere."

A mainstay in Conference USA, Holtz has coached at East Carolina (2005-09), South Florida (2010-12), and Louisiana Tech (2013-21). He won back-to-back conference titles with the Pirates in 2008 and 2009.

The 57-year-old is the son of College Football Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz.