The Cougars have a new skipper, and the team’s social media page had some fun with the announcement on Tuesday.
HOUSTON — The Cougars named Will Davis as their new head baseball coach on Tuesday, ending a search that followed the departure of longtime coach Todd Whitting.
But Houston didn’t just make the announcement — it staged it.
In a nod to the centuries-old Vatican tradition where white smoke signals the election of a new pope, UH teased the hire with a social media video showing black smoke rising into the sky before shifting into a bold red.
Moments later, the program made it official with a message that kept the theme going:
“Habemus exercitorem!
Welcome Houston’s newest skipper, Will Davis.
The next chapter of Cougar Baseball is here.”
The Latin phrase — a play on “Habemus papam,” meaning “we have a pope” — added another layer to the reveal, giving fans a memorable introduction to a new era.
That era will be led by Davis, a veteran coach known for his recruiting reach and player development, as Houston looks to reset following Whitting’s tenure. Whitting led the Cougars for more than a decade, guiding the program to multiple NCAA tournament appearances.
Now, Houston turns the page in a competitive Big 12, with Davis tasked with building momentum and bringing new energy to the program.
And if the rollout is any indication, the Cougars are ready to make some noise doing it.
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