The Complete Timeline: All 9 Teams Kelvin Sampson Has Coached, From Montana Tech To Houston's Big 12 Dominance

As of December 17, 2025, Kelvin Sampson stands as one of college basketball’s most successful and enduring figures, a coach who has not only rebuilt programs but also navigated controversy to achieve redemption at the highest level. His recent recognition as the 2024 Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year underscores a career defined by resilience and exceptional program-building. This comprehensive look at Kelvin Sampson's teams coached reveals a dramatic, decades-long journey across the college and professional ranks. Sampson's coaching path is a testament to his ability to instill a tough, defensive-minded culture, transforming struggling teams into national contenders. From the NAIA to the NBA, and from the Pac-10 to the Big 12, his resume is a rich tapestry of challenges and triumphs. The sheer number of programs he has impacted, including his critical six-year stint in the NBA, is key to understanding his current success with the Houston Cougars.

Kelvin Sampson: A Coach's Profile and Biography

Kelvin Dale Sampson is a veteran American college basketball coach, renowned for his intense coaching style and remarkable success in turning around programs at multiple universities. His career is one of the most storied and, at times, controversial in modern college basketball history.

• Full Name: Kelvin Dale Sampson
• Date of Birth: October 5, 1955
• Hometown: Pembroke, North Carolina
• Alma Mater: UNC Pembroke (1978)
• Current Position: Head Coach, University of Houston Cougars (2014–Present)
• Tribal Affiliation: Member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
• Notable Awards: 2x National Coach of the Year (1995, 2024), 3x Conference Coach of the Year (1995, 2001, 2022), NABC Golden Eagles Award (2021).
• Wife: Karen Sampson
• Children: Kellen Sampson (Associate Head Coach at Houston) and Lauren Sampson (former Houston Director of Operations).

The Complete List of Kelvin Sampson Teams Coached (1980–Present)

Kelvin Sampson has held nine distinct coaching positions across his nearly 45-year career, spanning NAIA, NCAA Division I, and the NBA. This list details every team he has coached, highlighting the different roles he has played in each stop. The timeline is crucial for understanding the foundational experience that led to his current success.

NAIA and Early NCAA Head Coaching Roles

Sampson’s career began far from the bright lights of the Final Four, starting in the small-college ranks where he quickly established his reputation as a program builder.

1. Montana Tech (Assistant Coach)

Years: 1980–1981

Sampson got his start here, immediately after a brief stint as a high school coach in North Carolina. This was his first taste of college basketball coaching.

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2. Montana Tech (Head Coach)

Years: 1981–1985

He was quickly promoted to head coach, where he led the Orediggers for four seasons. This experience proved he could take over a struggling program and generate immediate results, a theme that would define his career.

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3. Washington State Cougars (Assistant Coach)

Years: 1985–1987

Sampson moved to the major college level as an assistant under Dick Bennett, gaining valuable experience in the Pac-10 conference.

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4. Washington State Cougars (Head Coach)

Years: 1987–1994

At just 31, he took over the head coaching job at WSU. He transformed the Cougars into a competitive program, leading them to two NCAA Tournament appearances—a significant achievement for the school—and earning him the opportunity to coach a national powerhouse.

5. Oklahoma Sooners (Head Coach)

Years: 1994–2006

Sampson’s tenure at Oklahoma was his first run as a national figure. He led the Sooners to 11 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, four Sweet Sixteens, and the 2002 Final Four. This period cemented his status as a top-tier coach in the Big 12, known for his ability to develop NBA-level talent.

6. Indiana Hoosiers (Head Coach)

Years: 2006–2008

He took over the storied Indiana program, but his time was short-lived and ended controversially due to NCAA violations related to impermissible phone calls and text messages to recruits. This led to his resignation and a five-year "show-cause" penalty from the NCAA, effectively banishing him from college coaching.

From Show-Cause to Success: Sampson's NBA and NCAA Redemption Arc

Following the NCAA sanctions, Sampson spent six years in the National Basketball Association, a period that proved vital for his career development and eventual return to college basketball. His time in the NBA exposed him to new offensive and defensive concepts, which he later integrated into his college coaching philosophy. This experience was his path to redemption.

7. Milwaukee Bucks (Assistant Coach)

Years: 2008–2011

Sampson served as an assistant coach for the Bucks, working under Scott Skiles. This was a crucial opportunity to stay active in coaching while his show-cause penalty was in effect. He gained invaluable insights into the professional game and player management.

8. Houston Rockets (Assistant Coach)

Years: 2011–2014

He moved across Texas to join the Rockets' staff, where he further honed his skills in player development and advanced scouting. His NBA experience with both the Bucks and Rockets is frequently credited with modernizing his coaching approach, making him a more effective and versatile coach upon his NCAA return.

The Unprecedented Cougar Culture: Houston's Rebirth

The final, and perhaps most impactful, chapter of Sampson’s career began in 2014 when he took over the University of Houston program. He inherited a team that had largely faded from national relevance.

9. Houston Cougars (Head Coach)

Years: 2014–Present

Sampson has engineered a historic turnaround at Houston. His focus on "Cougar Culture"—a philosophy centered on defense, toughness, and accountability—has made the Cougars one of the most feared programs in the nation. Under his leadership, Houston has achieved a level of sustained success not seen since the Phi Slama Jama era.

Key achievements during his tenure include:

• Leading the Cougars to seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
• A dramatic run to the 2021 Final Four.
• Transitioning the program successfully into the highly competitive Big 12 Conference.
• Earning the 2024 AP Coach of the Year award, a recognition of his ability to maintain elite status even after moving to a tougher league.

Sampson's Coaching Tree and Legacy

Beyond his own success, Kelvin Sampson's legacy is also measured by the coaches he has developed. His "coaching tree" is a growing network of successful leaders who learned under his demanding and detail-oriented system.

Notable figures who have worked under Sampson include his son, Kellen Sampson, who is his Associate Head Coach and often cited as his eventual successor. Other former assistants and players, like Hollis Price (a star guard from his Oklahoma days), have gone on to significant roles, a testament to Sampson's commitment to empowering his staff. The culture of loyalty and hard work he fosters extends far beyond the University of Houston campus, influencing programs across the country.

In conclusion, the journey of Kelvin Sampson—from the NAIA's Montana Tech to the NBA's Houston Rockets and back to the NCAA to rebuild the Houston Cougars—is one of the most compelling narratives in sports. His ability to adapt, learn from his mistakes, and consistently build winning programs solidifies his position as a coaching titan, proving that a strong culture and an unwavering commitment to defense can lead to sustained excellence in any league.