Houston football has fired head coach Major Applewhite after two seasons, the university announced on Sunday. 

The news was first reported by SB Nation’s Steven Godfrey.

Applewhite compiled a 15-11 record as head coach at Houston, including a Las Vegas Bowl loss as interim head coach in 2016. The Cougars finished with identical 5-3 American Athletic Conference records and bowl losses in both seasons.

“We’d like to thank Coach Applewhite and his family for their commitment to the success of the Houston Football program over the last four seasons including the last two as our head coach,” Houston athletic director Chris Pezman said. “After a thorough evaluation of our Football program, it is my assessment our future opportunities for success are better addressed by making this very difficult decision now.

“While the immediate future may be challenging, our future at UH is very bright. We’ve made many sizable improvements over the past five years, and I look forward to enhancing our future success through the hiring of our next head coach.  At this time we have already begun the search process for our next head coach and will not comment further until the search is concluded."

The Cougars reached as high as No. 17 in the AP Top 25 after starting the season 7-1. However, Houston lost four of its final five games. UH could have earned a trip to the AAC championship game against UCF with a win over Memphis, but the Cougars lost by three touchdowns to the Tigers.

Applewhite quickly emerged on the hot seat after Houston lost the Armed Forces Bowl against Army 70-14 in Fort Worth. Even after firing defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio before the bowl game, the Cougars allowed 592 yards and 9.5 yards per play against an option team. Offensive coordinator Kendal Briles subsequently left to take the same position at Florida State.

Houston’s next hire will be the fifth head coach since 2010. Kevin Sumlin and Herman both left to take better jobs, but Applewhite and Tony Levine were both fired after five-loss seasons.

Godfrey reports that Houston is targeting West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen for the opening. Holgorsen previously worked as offensive coordinator under Sumlin at Houston in 2008 and 2009.

This story will be updated.