Sampson to take reins at Houston

Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) – Kelvin Sampson will be the next head men’s basketball coach for the Houston Cougars.

According to the Chronicle on Wednesday, Sampson and the school have reached an agreement on a five-year contract.

He will take over for James Dickey, who stepped down after four years at the helm early last week, citing family issues.

Sampson has spent the last five-plus seasons as an assistant coach in the NBA, most recently with the Houston Rockets beginning with the 2011-12 season. Prior to that, he served in the same role with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 58-year-old North Carolina native and Pembroke State product began his head-coaching tenure with Montana Tech from 1981-85, then Washington State from 1987-94, Oklahoma from 1994-2006 and Indiana until 2008, when allegations of NCAA violations forced his ouster.

His overall record stands at 496-271, which includes 13 berths in the NCAA Tournament — nine with the Sooners.

Categorized in: NCAA Basketball