Houston’s resurgence as a basketball powerhouse under head coach Kelvin Sampson has been nothing short of remarkable. Since taking over the Cougars in 2014, Sampson has transformed the program, leading them to six consecutive Sweet 16 appearances and a spot in the NCAA Tournament in 2018 after a 25-year drought. However, Sampson’s journey to Houston was not without its challenges.
Sampson’s coaching career took a turn at Indiana in 2006, where he was hired as head coach but had to resign amidst an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations. The NCAA found that Sampson and his staff had made impermissible phone calls to recruits, leading to restrictions that he violated at Indiana as well. After resigning with a $750,000 buyout in 2008, Sampson faced a five-year show-cause penalty, effectively banning him from collegiate coaching.
Despite this setback, Sampson found success in the NBA as an assistant coach before ultimately landing at Houston in 2014. His coaching timeline reflects a long and successful career, including reaching the Final Four with Oklahoma in 2002 and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
Now, Sampson has led Houston back to national prominence, with the Cougars on the cusp of another Final Four appearance. The partnership between Sampson and Houston has been a gamble that has paid off, showcasing the coach’s resilience and the program’s resurgence. As Houston continues its march through the NCAA Tournament, Sampson’s journey from Indiana to Houston serves as a testament to his coaching acumen and the program’s rise to prominence.
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