AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas is parting ways with David Pierce.
Pierce was fired Monday, June 24, after eight seasons as the head coach of Texas Baseball. The dismissal came a few weeks after the Longhorns' season ended with a loss to Louisiana in the NCAA Tournament College Station regional.
UT released statements from both Pierce and UT Athletics Director Chris Del Conte, confirming the news. Both said the dismissal was a mutual decision.
"CDC and I met after the season and we mutually agreed that the best thing for the program was to go in a different direction. It’s been an honor and privilege to lead this program for the last eight years. It certainly is a time I will always cherish as a coach, and I am so appreciative of The University of Texas for the opportunity," Pierce said in his statement before thanking Longhorn fans, the Texas Baseball support staff and others. "I especially want to thank the coaches and our former and current players who helped us win a lot of games and represented our program in a first-class manner. Thank you all for your hard work, dedication and commitment to Texas Baseball. You will forever be in my heart, and I look forward to continuing to cheer you on in baseball and beyond."
"It was a difficult decision for us both, but we have mutually agreed that we should make a change," Del Conte said in his statement. "I am so grateful for Coach Pierce and all he has poured into our baseball program for the past eight years. He is an incredible person, and I’ve truly enjoyed my time working with him. I appreciate the passion, pride and steadfast commitment he had for coaching and working with our student-athletes and am thankful for all he’s done for Texas Athletics and our entire university community as our head coach. I wish Coach Pierce and his family the best in the future."
Pierce's history with Texas Baseball
According to KVUE's media partners at the Austin American-Statesman, Pierce was hired by Texas from Tulane in June 2016, to replace legendary coach Augie Garrido. Pierce went 295-162 at Texas, leading the Longhorns to Big 12 championships in 2018, 2021 and 2023. Texas reached the College World Series in 2018, 2021 and 2022.
Pierce signed a contract extension in 2021 and had two years remaining on a deal that paid him an annual salary of $1.2 million. The Statesman reports that, "According to the language in his contract, Texas owes Pierce 70% of his remaining base salary, but the decision makers still felt this was the correct time to make a coaching change."
Pierce has a 494-271 record in his 13 years leading Texas, Tulane and Sam Houston State, with 11 NCAA tournament appearances. He also won a national championship as part of Rice University's 2003 coaching staff.