Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kelvin Sampson

Discover the career path of Kelvin Sampson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Kelvin Sampson is an American college basketball coach, currently serving as the head coach for the University of Houston Cougars. His career has been marked by both success and controversy. He achieved notable success at Oklahoma, leading them to the NCAA Tournament multiple times, including a Final Four appearance. He then coached at Indiana University, but his tenure ended amidst NCAA violations related to impermissible phone calls to recruits. After a period as an NBA assistant coach, Sampson revitalized his career at Houston, building a consistently successful program and leading the Cougars to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four berth.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1983: Advanced to National Championship Game

In 1983, Houston advanced all the way to the national championship game.

1983: Named Frontier Conference Coach of the Year

In 1983, Kelvin Sampson was named the Frontier Conference coach of the year while at Montana Tech.

1983: First Winning Season Since 1983

In 1983, the Cougars produced their first winning season.

1984: Top 25 Finish Since 1984

In 2018, Houston posted its first Top 25 finish since 1984, while in 1984 Houston advanced all the way to the national championship game.

1984: Final Four Appearance

In 2021, the Cougars advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1984.

June 1985: Joined Washington State University

In June 1985, Kelvin Sampson joined the staff at Washington State University as an assistant coach under head coach Len Stevens.

1985: Named Frontier Conference Coach of the Year Again

In 1985, Kelvin Sampson was once again named the Frontier Conference coach of the year while coaching at Montana Tech.

April 1987: Promoted to Head Coach at Washington State

In April 1987, Kelvin Sampson was promoted to head coach at Washington State University at the age of 31.

1991: Named Kodak District 14 Coach of the Year

In 1991, Kelvin Sampson was named Kodak District 14 Coach of the Year by the NABC, as the Cougars produced their first winning season since 1983.

1992: Named Pac-10 Coach of the Year

In 1992, Kelvin Sampson was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year, and led Washington State to the NIT, their first postseason appearance in nine years.

1993: Head Coach at the U.S. Olympic Festival

In 1993, Kelvin Sampson was selected head coach of the West team at the U.S. Olympic Festival in San Antonio, Texas, winning a silver medal.

April 25, 1994: Became Head Coach at the University of Oklahoma

On April 25, 1994, Kelvin Sampson became the 11th head coach at the University of Oklahoma.

1994: Led WSU to NCAA Tournament Berth

In 1994, Kelvin Sampson led Washington State University to their first NCAA tournament berth in eleven years.

1994: Coached at the Goodwill Games

In the summer of 1994, Kelvin Sampson coached at the Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, Russia, serving as an assistant and earning a bronze medal.

1995: Named National Coach of the Year

In 1995, Kelvin Sampson was named national coach of the year by the Associated Press, United States Basketball Writers Association, and Basketball Weekly.

1995: Head Coach of the United States Junior National Team

In the summer of 1995, Kelvin Sampson was also the head coach of the United States Junior National Team that participated in the Junior World Games in Athens, Greece.

1999: Sweet Sixteen Appearance

In 1999, Kelvin Sampson guided the University of Oklahoma Sooners to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

2001: Won Big 12 Tournament

In 2001, Kelvin Sampson and the Sooners won the Big 12 Tournament.

2002: Final Four Appearance

In 2002, Kelvin Sampson directed the Oklahoma Sooners to a Final Four appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

2002: Assistant Coach for US National Team

In 2002, Kelvin Sampson was an assistant coach under George Karl for the US national team in the FIBA World Championship.

2003: Elite Eight Appearance

In 2003, Kelvin Sampson directed the Oklahoma Sooners to an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

2004: Coached Under-21 USA National Team

In 2004, Kelvin Sampson coached the Under-21 USA national team to a gold medal in the Under-21 Tournament of the Americas.

March 29, 2006: Named Head Coach at Indiana University

On March 29, 2006, Kelvin Sampson was named the head coach at Indiana University.

February 22, 2008: Resigned from Indiana University

On February 22, 2008, Kelvin Sampson was forced to resign from Indiana University due to allegations of serious NCAA violations.

March 8, 2008: Hired by the San Antonio Spurs in Advisory Role

On March 8, 2008, Kelvin Sampson was hired in an advisory role by the San Antonio Spurs.

May 14, 2008: Became Assistant Coach for the Bucks

On May 14, 2008, Kelvin Sampson accepted a role as assistant coach of the Milwaukee Bucks under Scott Skiles.

2010: Last Conference Tournament Crown

In 2010, the Cougars previously won the conference tournament.

2011: Assistant Coach with Houston Rockets

In 2011, Kelvin Sampson became an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets.

2012: Assistant Coach of Canadian National Team

In the summer of 2012, Kelvin Sampson was an assistant coach of the Canadian national men's basketball team.

April 2, 2014: Hired by Houston Cougars

On April 2, 2014, the Houston Cougars hired Kelvin Sampson to coach the men's basketball team.

2014: Returned to the NCAA

In 2014, Kelvin Sampson returned to the NCAA after a stint with the Houston Rockets.

2016: Push to Raise Funds for Practice Facility

In 2016, Kelvin Sampson was instrumental in Houston's push to raise funds to build a $25 million practice facility.

2018: Renovation to Hofheinz Pavilion

In 2018, Kelvin Sampson was instrumental in Houston's push for a $60 million renovation to Hofheinz Pavilion, which was renamed the Fertitta Center.

2019: Won School-Record 33 Games

In 2019, the Cougars, under Kelvin Sampson, won a school-record 33 games, only the fourth 30-win season in school history, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.

2021: Conference Tournament Crown

In 2021, Kelvin Sampson led Houston to its first conference tournament crown since 2010 and advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1984.

2022: AAC Coach of the Year

In 2022, Kelvin Sampson was voted AAC Coach of the Year for the third time after overcoming injuries to win the regular-season conference crown and advance to the Elite Eight.