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University of Houston Athletics
Sampson Named to Naismith Coach of the Year Watch List
2/19/2021 1:59:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Cougar coach earns place on Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year Late Season Watch List
HOUSTON – University of Houston Men's Basketball Head Coach Kelvin Sampson was named to the Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year Late Season Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Friday.
Sampson was one of 15 coaches on the Watch List, joining Casey Alexander (Belmont), Darian DeVries (Drake), Scott Drew (Baylor), Andy Enfield (USC), Mark Few (Gonzaga), Leonard Hamilton (Gonzaga), Chris Holtmann (Ohio State), Juwan Howard (Michigan), Bob Huggins (West Virginia), Lon Kruger (Oklahoma), Porter Moser (Loyola [Chicago]), Nate Oats (Alabama), Shaka Smart (Texas) and Mike Young (Virginia Tech).
Sampson has earned numerous Coach of the Year honors during his career and was named the 2002 National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the 1995 National Coach of the Year by the Associated Press.
This is the latest mid-season honor a Cougar has received. Junior guard Quentin Grimes has earned places on watch lists for the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Midseason Team for Player of the Year, the John R Wooden Award presented by Wendy's and the Lute Olson Award.
ABOUT KELVIN SAMPSON
Now in his seventh year with the Cougars and his 32nd as a collegiate head coach, Sampson has led the Cougars to a 17-3 overall record and 11-3 mark in American Athletic Conference play.
His Cougars were ranked in both national preseason polls for the first time since 1984 and have been ranked every week this season, rising as high as No. 5.
Under his leadership, the Cougars have led the nation or ranked among the country's Top-10 statistical leaders in multiple categories, including field goal percentage defense, 3-point field goal percentage defense, offensive rebounds, scoring defense, scoring margin, rebounds per game, rebounding margin and won-lost percentage.
He is the only coach in program history to lead the Cougars to five consecutive 20-win seasons and is poised to extend that streak to six in 2020-21. With the Cougars' win over South Carolina on Dec. 5, Sampson became the second winningest coach in Houston history, trailing only legendary Coach Guy V. Lewis.
Sampson already holds the school record with a .712 career winning percentage (156-63 record).
WERNER LADDER NAISMITH COACH OF THE YEAR LATE SEASON WATCH LIST
JOIN the 2021-22 SEASON-TICKET PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Houston Men's Basketball fans can join the season ticket priority wait list for the 2021-22 season inside the Fertitta Center with a $75 deposit today. To place a deposit for the 2021 season, click here or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-4667).
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
Sampson was one of 15 coaches on the Watch List, joining Casey Alexander (Belmont), Darian DeVries (Drake), Scott Drew (Baylor), Andy Enfield (USC), Mark Few (Gonzaga), Leonard Hamilton (Gonzaga), Chris Holtmann (Ohio State), Juwan Howard (Michigan), Bob Huggins (West Virginia), Lon Kruger (Oklahoma), Porter Moser (Loyola [Chicago]), Nate Oats (Alabama), Shaka Smart (Texas) and Mike Young (Virginia Tech).
Sampson has earned numerous Coach of the Year honors during his career and was named the 2002 National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the 1995 National Coach of the Year by the Associated Press.
This is the latest mid-season honor a Cougar has received. Junior guard Quentin Grimes has earned places on watch lists for the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Midseason Team for Player of the Year, the John R Wooden Award presented by Wendy's and the Lute Olson Award.
ABOUT KELVIN SAMPSON
Now in his seventh year with the Cougars and his 32nd as a collegiate head coach, Sampson has led the Cougars to a 17-3 overall record and 11-3 mark in American Athletic Conference play.
His Cougars were ranked in both national preseason polls for the first time since 1984 and have been ranked every week this season, rising as high as No. 5.
Under his leadership, the Cougars have led the nation or ranked among the country's Top-10 statistical leaders in multiple categories, including field goal percentage defense, 3-point field goal percentage defense, offensive rebounds, scoring defense, scoring margin, rebounds per game, rebounding margin and won-lost percentage.
He is the only coach in program history to lead the Cougars to five consecutive 20-win seasons and is poised to extend that streak to six in 2020-21. With the Cougars' win over South Carolina on Dec. 5, Sampson became the second winningest coach in Houston history, trailing only legendary Coach Guy V. Lewis.
Sampson already holds the school record with a .712 career winning percentage (156-63 record).
WERNER LADDER NAISMITH COACH OF THE YEAR LATE SEASON WATCH LIST
| Coach | School | Conference |
| Casey Alexander | Belmont | Ohio Valley |
| Darian DeVries | Drake | Missouri Valley |
| Scott Drew | Baylor | Big 12 |
| Andy Enfield | USC | Pac-12 |
| Mark Few | Gonzaga | West Coast |
| Leonard Hamilton | Florida State | ACC |
| Chris Holtmann | Ohio State | Big Ten |
| Juwan Howard | Michigan | Big Ten |
| Bob Huggins | West Virginia | Big 12 |
| Lon Kruger | Oklahoma | Big 12 |
| Porter Moser | Loyola (Chicago) | Missouri Valley |
| Nate Oats | Alabama | SEC |
| Kelvin Sampson | Houston | American Athletic |
| Shaka Smart | Texas | Big 12 |
| Mike Young | Virginia Tech | ACC |
JOIN the 2021-22 SEASON-TICKET PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Houston Men's Basketball fans can join the season ticket priority wait list for the 2021-22 season inside the Fertitta Center with a $75 deposit today. To place a deposit for the 2021 season, click here or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-4667).
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
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