Texas parts ways with head coach David Pierce

The university announced on June 24 in a statement from athletic director Chris del Conte that Texas baseball and head coach David Pierce have agreed to mutually part ways. The official release from the University of Texas regarding the parting ways of Pierce included statements from both the now-former UT head coach and CDC.

Texas baseball officially lets go of head coach David Pierce before moving to the SEC for 2025

Pierce thanked the Longhorns faithful and the university for his time at Texas.

"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. Thank you to Longhorn Nation, the fan base, our support staff, student assistants and the media who covered us so well. 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."

- David Pierce's statement

CDC essentially said it was time for the program to move on and find another direction entering the SEC during their inaugural season in the conference in 2025.

"After the season, Coach Pierce and I had some time to visit about the year, the future of our program, where we are, and where we're headed. 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. 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."

- Chris del Conte's statement

Pierce posted a record of 297–162 (101–71 Big 12) during his eight seasons at Texas, good for a .647 winning percentage. He was a two-time Big 12 Coach of the Year (2018 and 2021) and was the Baseball America Coach of the Year in 2018.

Texas won the Big 12 regular season title three times (2018, 2021, and 2023) and appeared in the College World Series three times (2018, 2021, and 2022) under Pierce.

A combination of a lack of postseason and College World Series success recently, coaching staff volatility, and downward momentum entering the SEC were big factors contributing to Pierce's departure this summer. Texas's postseason results have regressed each year since Pierce last made the College World Series in 2022.

Pierce was just the sixth full-time head coach for UT baseball in over a century of the program's history.

CDC must make quick moves to replace Pierce, with the NCAA Transfer Portal in full swing now and the transition to the SEC quickly approaching in a couple of weeks in July.

Other Texas baseball stories on Hook'em Headlines