Kelvin Sampson, born on October 5, 1955, in Laurinburg, North Carolina, is a distinguished American college basketball coach currently serving as the head coach of the University of Houston men’s basketball team.
Early Life and Education
Sampson hails from the Lumbee Native American community in Deep Branch, North Carolina. He played basketball and baseball at Pembroke State University (now the University of North Carolina at Pembroke), earning multiple letters in both sports and graduating in 1978.
Coaching Career
- Montana Tech (1981–1985): Sampson began his head coaching career at Montana Tech, leading the Orediggers to three consecutive 22-win seasons and securing three Frontier Conference championships.
- Washington State University (1986–1994): After serving as an assistant coach, he became the head coach at Washington State, guiding the team to its first postseason appearance since 1983.
- University of Oklahoma (1994–2006): Sampson achieved significant success, including a Final Four appearance in 2002 and multiple conference championships.
- Indiana University (2006–2008): His tenure was cut short due to NCAA violations, leading to a five-year show-cause penalty.
- NBA Experience (2008–2014): Sampson served as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, and San Antonio Spurs.
- University of Houston (2014–Present): Returning to college basketball, he has led Houston to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including advancing to the Round of 32 in 2025.
Recent Highlights
In the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Houston, under Sampson’s leadership, secured a decisive 78-40 victory over SIU Edwardsville. Sampson praised SIU Edwardsville’s historic tournament berth, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in March Madness.
Additionally, Sampson addressed a reporter’s mispronunciation of “Gonzaga,” highlighting the significance of accurate pronunciation in sports journalism.
Personal Life
Sampson is married to Karen Lowry, and they have two children: Lauren, who serves as the Men’s Basketball Director of External Operations at the University of Houston, and Kellen, an assistant coach for the Houston Cougars.
For a more in-depth perspective on Coach Kelvin Sampson’s recent reflections and achievements, you might find this interview insightful: