HOUSTON -- The University of Houston reached into its past to find its next football coach.

Art Briles, a standout wide receiver for the Cougars in the 1970s, on Friday was named the program's 10th coach, replacing Dana Dimel, who was dimissed after posting a three-year record of 8-26.

The school did not release terms of the contract, but the Houston Chronicle reported Friday morning that athletics director Dave Maggard was working on a five-year deal.

The 47-year-old Texas native is the first former Houston player to lead the program. He spent the past three years as a running backs coach at Texas Tech.

"This is definitely something I have aspired to do, be a Division I-A head football coach," Briles said. "This is a dream come true. I have bled the blood over the years to get to this point."

Briles was officially intoduced at a 3 p.m. ET news conference.

"Everyone with whom I have spoken holds him in high regard," Maggard said. "He commands great respect from the college community and is especially well thought of by high school coaches in the state of Texas."

Briles played for former Houston coach Bill Yeoman and was a member of the 1976 team that captured the Southwestern Conference in the school's first year in the league. He also played in the 1977 Cotton Bowl against Maryland, a contest won by the Cougars, 30-21.

"I am excited about returning to Houston to see old friends who not only live in Houston, but also coach in the local high schools," he said.

"I think he'll breath life into the program," Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury said. "He knows the game of football and knows high school football in the state and, more importanly, he's a player's coach."

Briles was raised in Rule, Texas, where his father was the high school coach, and graduated from Texas Tech after transferring from Houston, where he was a four-year letterman.

As a high school coach, Briles won four Texas state championships at Stephensville, where he posted a 136-29-2 mark.

His task at Houston will be restoring the school's winning tradition. The Cougars have had just two winning seasons since 1990. Attendance also has suffered. In six home games this season, the team averaged just 14,986 fans.

"His strong worth ethic is well known throughout the state," Maggard said. "He brings great passion to his work and a desire to succeed."