Kelvin Sampson Named Naismith Coach of the Year Semifinalist

Kelvin Sampson, Naismith Coach of the Year Semifinalist

HOUSTON – Leading the University of Houston Men's Basketball program to another award-winning season, Head Coach Kelvin Sampson was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year Award.

Now in his eighth season at Houston, Sampson has led the 18^th-ranked Cougars to a 26-5 overall record and 15-3 mark in American Athletic Conference play. With the Cougars' claiming the 2021-22 American regular-season title, he became the first coach in Houston history to lead the program to three conference crowns in a four-year stretch.

Sampson already is the only coach in school history to lead the Cougars to seven consecutive 20-wins seasons. With his selection as the American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for the third time earlier this week, he also became the first Cougar coach to receive three conference Coach of the Year honors.

After losing four starters from last year's NCAA Final Four squad, Sampson's 2021-22 team's impressive accomplishments have come despite losing Preseason All-American Athletic Conference First-Team guard Marcus Sasser and sophomore guard Tramon Mark to season-ending injuries in December 2021.

That duo combined to score more than 27.0 points per game prior to their injuries and continue to rank among the team's Top-Five scoring leaders entering this weekend's American Athletic Conference Championship.

Kelvin Sampson, Kyle Sampson, Tonya Sampson, Celebration

Kelvin Sampson, Kyle Sampson, Tonya Sampson, Celebration

Now in his 33^rd season as a collegiate head coach, Sampson has compiled a 693389 overall record with a 193-69 mark at Houston. He is one of only 16 coaches to lead multiple schools to the NCAA Final Four and ranks as the winningest coach in Houston career history with a .737 career winning percentage.

Sampson was joined as a semifinalist by Mark Adams (Texas Tech), John Calipari (Kentucky), Ed Cooley (Providence), Scott Drew (Baylor), Steve Forbes (Wake Forest), Greg Gard (Wisconsin), Tommy Lloyd (Arizona), Matt McMahon (Murray State) and Bruce Pearl (Auburn).

UP NEXT
• Sampson and the Cougars will compete at the American Athletic Conference Championship inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas
• Houston will face the winner of (8) Cincinnati-(9) East Carolina at Noon, Friday, in The American Championship Quarterfinals. That game will air on ESPN2 and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and The Varsity Network app.

2022-23 SEASON TICKETS PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Fans who were unable to secure 2021-22 season tickets may start preparing for next season by putting down a $75 deposit and placing their names on the 2022-23 Men's Basketball Season Ticket Priority Wait List by clicking here.

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 (4687).

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.

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