When Kelvin Sampson first took over at Houston in 2014, the world did not imagine that the Cougars would make a comeback that calls for national attention. Now, nearly a decade later, the 69-year-old coach just led his team to a 35–5 season. They had a 19–1 record in the Big 12.
The Cougars also went on to secure their spot in the first NCAA Championship game since the Phi Slama Jama days of 1984. Though the Cougars did not win the title, Houston has never been closer to basketball glory in decades. And the man behind it all will be sticking around a little longer.
Houston Extends Legendary Coach Kelvin Sampson Through 2030
No college program would ever want to let go of a coach who brought a team back from the shadows. And that’s exactly what the University of Houston made clear when they inked Kelvin Sampson to a contract extension.
BREAKING: Houston’s Kelvin Sampson has received a new four-year contract through the 2028-29 season, per @JonRothstein.
The deal keeps Sampson among the highest-paid coaches in college basketball. pic.twitter.com/oloSKr9Zif
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 21, 2025
Sampson’s contract has been extended through the 2028–29 season. Sampson, who turns 70 this October, will remain one of the highest-paid coaches in Division I basketball. And honestly, it is well deserved, especially when the Cougars are coming off a back-to-back Big 12 regular season titles. But that’s not all he did.
There was also a Big 12 tournament title and three straight No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament. And let’s not forget the Final Four appearance in 2021 and a national runner-up finish this year. But this extension is not just about wins.
Kelvin Sampson has managed to rebuild the NBA pipeline. Names like Quentin Grimes, Marcus Sasser, and Jamal Shead are now part of a new Houston legacy. The Cougars are no longer just a strong program. They are an NBA launchpad, and the numbers that Sampson is making simply reflect this.
In 2024, Sampson made $4.6 million. That placed him 16th among public NCAA salaries as per ESPN. That is a deal of the century for Houston, considering the fact that John Calipari and Bill Self both clear north of $8 million. So yeah, Houston handing Sampson a big raise was truly overdue. And Houston is excited about the extension.
“It is hard to truly put into words what Kelvin Sampson has meant to our program,” said Houston athletic director Eddie Nuñez. “His success on the court is even more impressive when you consider his impact on the young men who come through our program.” And that is rightly put.
Kelvin Sampson’s story at Houston has been nothing short of a movie. He has an overall record of 798–355. That is no small achievement. And now, with a new deal in hand, he’s got one more shot at that elusive NCAA title. Houston came heartbreakingly close this year. Maybe next time, they will finish the job.
KEEP READING: Kelvin Sampson Breaks Down Why So Many NBA Coaches Fail
And with Kelvin Sampson at the helm? Betting against it is ill-advised.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
