Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars are on the cusp of college basketball glory, but the foundation of their championship aspirations isn’t built on flashy plays or one-and-done stars.
Instead, it’s rooted in the basics—habits learned as early as first grade. For Sampson, success starts with simple lessons: listen, apply, and, as he puts it, “flush the commode.”
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As Houston eyes its first national title, coach Sampson’s advice to his players and the city’s youth is clear: greatness starts with mastering the fundamentals.
“You know, put the toilet lid down, flush the commode, jump to the ball, block out,” Sampson said. It’s all about listening and applying. Carry over, you know. Everything we do is pretty simple. I noticed a lot of people around us make it complicated, but it ain’t hard. It’s hard to do, but it’s not hard to do once you figure it out.”
Coach Kelvin Sampson says Houston’s system is “built around development.”
Then he gives this great quote:
“They have to listen. They have to pay attention. Things you learn in the first grade. Put the toilet lid down. Flush the commode. Jump to the ball. Block out. It’s all about… pic.twitter.com/ZTjygwtLLk— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) June 7, 2025
Sampson has clearly articulated his coaching philosophy, which centers around standards, expectations, and accountability. He says the head coach, point guard, and the best player need to set the highest standards. The idea is not to allow mistakes at practice and always to show toughness and reliability.
“The greatest ability your best player can have is dependability,” Sampson noted. This relentless focus on basics has shaped Houston’s identity as one of the nation’s toughest, most disciplined teams.
Back in 2014, the Houston basketball team wasn’t known at all. Through his hard work and following the most basic basketball rules, Sampson has led his team to at least the Sweet 16 six consecutive times and a national championship appearance in 2025.
Sampson’s squad has become a household name in college basketball. It has made a name for itself in handling opponents in defense and jumping for the ball, resulting from the players’ compliance with his “back to basics” slogan. The new facilities and players’ development have further pumped up the program.
What Sampson is trying to achieve is not simply coaching using X’s and O’s, it’s about challenging players to strive in places they would never think to go by themselves.
Guards including Galen Robinson Jr., DeJon Jarreau, and Jamal Shead have improved a lot when the coach worked with them, each being the epitome of the toughness that Sampson looks for.
This past year, the promising Milos Uzan was given the chance to become the team’s top performer. He quickly took over the role after being asked to play with more aggression and confidence, a strategy that Sampson always employs. This resulted in the birth of his new handpicked player.
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“You have to push kids to places that they can’t push themselves,” Sampson said.
Many coaches follow trends, but Sampson stands out because he focuses on the basics. His teams mix traditional toughness with modern offensive skills. They are among the best in the nation for defense and three-point shooting. This leads to a culture where players hold each other accountable.
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