The Cougars were led by Dana Holgorsen in his fifth season as their head coach.

The Cougars played their home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The Houston Cougars football team drew an average home attendance of 36,020 in 2023.

[1] In September 2021, Cincinnati, BYU, Houston, and UCF accepted bids to join the Big 12 Conference.

[3] BYU had previously operated as an independent prior to accepting a membership invitation to join the Big 12.