Houston, TX -- (Sports Network) - The University of Houston named Chris Thurmond as its interim football coach to replace Art Briles, the school announced Wednesday.

Thurmond, who has been the team's recruiting coordinator and assistant coach the last two seasons, will guide the Cougars through the Texas Bowl on December 28.

"Chris Thurmond has a lot of experience," said Dave Maggard, the university's director of athletics. "He's been around a long time. He is somebody that is respected on the staff, and by the players. Right now he is the person best to be the interim (head coach) and take us through the bowl."

Prior to joining the Cougars' staff, Thurmond spent three years at Texas A&M. He also spent two seasons coaching cornerbacks at Alabama and had separate stints at TCU, Tulsa, Oklahoma and East Carolina.

"The whole season is a tribute to Coach Briles and the staff," said Thurmond, "and nothing ever happens by any one individual or any one group. It was a team effort throughout the year, and it will continue to be a team effort. That's all we can do.

"Right now, I have been designated as the guy to keep the team together, and that's what we'll do."

The announcement came the same day Briles resigned to accept the head coaching job at Baylor. He was 34-28 in five seasons at Houston.