Daniel Gotera announced he is leaving his KHOU 11 sports anchor/reporter role after 14 years, but promises he won't be going far. UPDATE: Gotera later announced he is working for the Harris County Houston Sports Authority.
So...about my new job...
— Daniel Gotera (@DTGotera) September 1, 2023
Let's tell some more sports stories, Houston.
See you soon. pic.twitter.com/68aWeR7mXh
In fact, a source tells mikemcguff.com that Gotera will still be very much involved with Houston sports. Stay tuned.
Here is what Gotera said in a video announcement about leaving KHOU:
"Yeah, it's true. After 14 years behind the mic here at Channel 11, I'm leaving KHOU for a job outside of the television world.
You know, one of my favorite phrases has always been if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. Well, that time tested phrase never really meant much to me until I arrived at KHOU back in 2009.
I've had the chance to be at almost every sporting event imaginable in this town over the past decade and a half. I've been to the White House, covered four World Series, three Super Bowls, three Final Fours, NCAA tournaments. The list goes on and on, and the memories and relationships I've formed are endless too.
But someone recently told me that as you get older, time is money. And while I've loved my job covering sports in the best city in the country, one thing I love more is my family. My wife, who many of you know. My two beautiful kids. The added time I'll now get to spend with them is priceless.
To you, the viewers and fans, thank you. Thank you for letting me into your homes, trusting me to tell your stories and cover the teams you love in a city that really is unmatched. As for what's next for me, I won't be going far. I can't wait to share more about my plans in the near future. That's going to have to wait a little bit, but I'll always be appreciative for how you all helped a 25 year old kid that arrived 14 years ago become a man that allowed him to live out his wildest dreams.
And you know what? Not work a day in his life. Take care and talk to you soon."
Gotera mentioned that many know his wife and that is because he is married to FOX 26 KRIV weeknight anchor Rashi Vats.
"What an amazing career you should be so proud of...I know I am. Love you so much," Vats tweeted after Gotera's announcement.
"I'll actually never forget the first time I saw her on television," Gotera told mikemcguff.com in 2020. "I was in the sports office at our first station, KXII, in Sherman and I remember turning to my sports director and asking 'Who is that?' He laughed because he could tell I was definitely taken back by her. Since that moment, she has done nothing but surprise me each day."
Gotera joined KHOU in August 2009 as the Houston television market's first multi-media journalist (MMJ). He's racked up the awards with a Lone Star EMMY win for "Best Sports Reporter in Texas" and seven nominations according to his bio. He also has Texas Associated Press awards and an Edward R. Murrow Award.
Starting in 2017, Gotera produced half-hour KHOU documentaries on Houston-area high school football programs called "The Program." He featured the likes of Pearland, Santa Fe, North Shore and Thurgood Marshall High.
"It really is an honor to work on a project like this," Gotera told mikemcguff.com in 2021. "No other station in town is doing this type of sports storytelling and I'm fortunate to have the blessing of our management team to take on such a huge project. I think people will enjoy it. By the end of the show, you'll know the player and the coaches so you'll be rooting for them even more than you thought you would."
He previously worked for KXII News 12 Sherman and KELO Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University grad was born in Chicago, but got to Houston as fast as he could, attending Cinco Ranch High School in Katy.
UPDATE
Gotera tweeted or X'ed that KHOU multiskilled journalist (MSJ) Zack Tawatari is taking his spot in sports.
