The University of Texas announced today that it has fired head baseball coach David Pierce. Pierce was fired after eight seasons with the Longhorns, which had a 297-162 record.
The decision came after a 36-24 season in which the Longhorns finished third in the Big 12. Texas saw quick exits in both the Big 12 Tournament and the NCAA Regional in College Station. Athletics Director Chris Del Conte made the choice just three weeks after Texas’ season-ending loss to Louisiana.
According to Del Conte, “It was a difficult decision for us both, but we have mutually agreed that we should make a change. I am so grateful for Coach Pierce and all he has poured into our baseball program for the past eight years.”
Pierce was let go despite having only two years left on his contract, with a buyout of $1.6 million.
The Houston native began his head coaching career at Sam Houston State in 2012. After three seasons there, Pierce went to Tulane for two seasons before getting hired by Texas in 2017.
During his eight seasons with the Longhorns, Pierce took Texas to an NCAA Regional in all but one season and led Texas to three College World Series.
As Texas prepares to join the SEC next season, the University needs a new head man to run their historic baseball program. A conference that is no joke, the SEC sent four teams to the College World Series this year. The final two remaining teams also come for the SEC, Tennessee and Texas A&M. Texas needs to get this hire right if it wants to carry over the program’s success to its new conference.
Photo Credit: Texas head coach David Pierce walks off the field after talking to the pitcher. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
