NCAAF teams
Travis Haney, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Tony Levine won't return to Houston

College Football, Houston Cougars

Tony Levine will not return for a fourth season at the University of Houston, sources close to the program told ESPN.com on Sunday.

Levine will meet Monday with Houston athletic director Mack Rhoades. An announcement from the school is expected shortly after that meeting.

Levine went 21-17 in three seasons after taking over for Kevin Sumlin, who left for Texas A&M. The Cougars lost Saturday at Cincinnati to finish a 7-5 regular season. Home losses to 4-8 UTSA and 3-9 Tulane were particularly hurtful for Levine and his team, especially since it was the program's first year in $120 million TDECU Stadium.

Attendance was strong for the opener against UTSA, but it waned as the season continued.

Houston was an offensive juggernaut under Sumlin, but Levine's tenure was marred by inconsistency on and off the field.

In 2012, Levine fired coordinator Mike Nesbitt two days into the season. He promoted Travis Bush to the position and then did again in 2014 after Doug Meacham, who called plays in 2013, left for TCU.

Meacham helped turn around TCU's offense and make quarterback Trevone Boykin a fringe Heisman Trophy candidate. He is one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, given to the country's top assistant coach.

The Cougars averaged 5.56 yards per play this season, 63rd among FBS teams.

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