Kelvin Sampson is one of the longest-serving coaches in college basketball. He started in 1979 with the Michigan State Spartans. Two years later, he landed his first head coaching job with the Montana Tech Orediggers.
Sampson has worked with several basketball programs and has been an assistant coach for two NBA franchises. He joined the Houston Cougars in 2014 as head coach and boasts one of the best records among all coaches.
In 12 seasons so far with the Cougars, Sampson is 329-91 overall and 165-52 in the conference. He has made eight trips to the NCAA Tournament with Houston and was the NCAA Division I Runner-up last season.
Despite an overall great record, Sampson hasn’t won the coveted national title yet. This season, his team reached the Sweet 16 round, where they lost to the Illinois Fighting Illini, 65-55. After the loss, discussions about Sampson’s retirement started heating up.
The 70-year-old recently put an end to all the rumors and speculations by stating that he has no intention of retiring anytime soon.
“I always get a kick out of people that say, ‘Now, you can take some time off.’ I will, eventually. Not right now,” he said.
Sampson made it clear that his focus is on his team and figuring out how he can help his players and staff. Fans appreciated Coach Sampson’s response and rallied behind him, stating that he needs to win a national title before leaving the game.
“Coach Sampson is a legend and needs a natty damn it!!” a fan wrote.
“I want this guy to win one so freaking bad,” a fan wrote.
“I truly hope this man gets one,” a fan wrote.
“I want to see him win a championship,” a fan wrote.
“When the day comes that Kelvin Sampson decides to retire, it will be a tremendous loss to the sport. Hope he gets another crack at a title here again soon!” a fan wrote.
It must be heartwarming for Coach Sampson to see fans standing by him despite the March Madness loss.
Kelvin Sampson is Chasing the National Title
Even if Sampson retires today, he will go down as one of the greatest coaches ever in college basketball history. But Sampson isn’t going down without a fight. He still has the passion to chase the coveted title.
“My heat is still hot… I still burn for this,” Sampson told the Houston Chronicle. “I want another run at it. I want to chase it again.”
For Sampson, chasing the title is no longer attached to the individual dream. He has been with the Cougars for over a decade, and he wants to do it for the program, his players, the staff, and the fans as well.
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