Sampson a Cougar?

[Mr. E]

Kelvin Sampson might be the next coach for the University of Houston Cougars following the resignation of James Dickey.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/23 ... Of-Houston

I know that Sampson evokes strong feelings among Rockets fans, but this could be huge for the Cougars. Sampson is a proven college coach and that team needs something like that. They've needed that for a long time!

[spolgar]

That's how you sampson a cougar. Hello Hedy Lamarr.

[ChokeFasncists]

Question is, who will be next? Is it really true that he is more responsible for our offense that McHale?

[rocketsballin]

we need a new coaching staff. he did a good job here. if its time for him to move on then good for him.

[tha_rock220]

I didn't know UH had a basketball team or any athletics for that matter.

[spolgar]

I didn't know UH had a basketball team or any athletics for that matter.

As UH is Clyde and Hakeem's alma mater, this is worth checking out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Cougars_men%27s_basketball

[moofs]

I didn't know UH had a basketball team or any athletics for that matter.

From what I've heard, in the 60's - 80's, UH was on par with UT and A&M athletically, if not academically.

By 1951, UH was the second-largest university in the State of Texas and was the fastest growing university in the United States.

Then a few governmenty people switched up public university funding methods, resulting in 15-20 years of lagging. They recently reattained tier 1 status in 2011. Their football program was fairly good from about 2002-2008 or so, and their basketball program in its heyday turned out some serious talent.

They've done some pretty serious campus improvements over the last 10 years. Debt financed, I believe. Not the most stable of histories, and they obviously aren't writing the marketing history books about the state of Texas's university system, but yeah..

[jwise44]

I didn't know UH had a basketball team or any athletics for that matter.

Phi slamma jamma?

Didn't case keenum set a record for yards thrown here a few years ago? Or was that just a school record? (pretty sure it was a d1 record, but I am an idiot)

[texasholdem]

Mike Davis goes to TSU
Sampson might go to UH
Tom Crean to Rice is next?

Sampson had some NCAA violations. I dunno if UH wants to get mixed up with that.

[zapatasblood]

I hope Sampson takes the job and UofH hires him. It would be good for both since the basketball program has been lacking for long time and just maybe he can keep some of them good Houston high school players in Houston. I really don't care that this would be a stepping stone to another job in 4-5 years.

[inquisitive]

if he does take the job, it would be after this current nba season right?

[Mr. E]

if he does take the job, it would be after this current nba season right?

Not sure, but it sounds as if it is a done deal.

My guess is that he would start right away and that Finch will move up to lead assistant for the playoffs.

[BaYBaller]

if he does take the job, it would be after this current nba season right?

Not sure, but it sounds as if it is a done deal.

My guess is that he would start right away and that Finch will move up to lead assistant for the playoffs.

I assumed it's after the season unless there's some opt-out clause in his contract or something. I don't even remember ever seeing a coach leave mid-season to take another job.

But this is a bigger deal than you might think since AFAIK the assistant coaches on this team are seem to be quite a bit more involved than other teams since McHale is really more of a motivator/figurehead.

[ChokeFasncists]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--u ... 40532.html

http://www.chron.com/sports/cougars/art ... 370990.php

Done deal and looks he's gone, gone.
Very interesting what's gonna happen to Lin after the switch, perhaps McHale will get off the hook?

[Mr. E]

Just listened to part of Sampson's interview on Jay Mohr Sports. Mohr started off by talking about Sampson's father which you could tell that he wasn't expecting, but really appreciated.

I didn't know this, but Harden & Beverley appeared at Sampson's introduction. Pretty cool of those guys!

He talked about being close with the Rockets players and the first guy he mentioned...was Lin! I have to admit that I chuckled. So many of Lin's more ardent supporters probably can't fathom the idea that Lin & Sampson not only getting along, but getting along well! There really is just so much we can glean from the sidelines.

I'm really hopeful that this turns out to be a great move for Sampson & the Cougars.

[ChokeFasncists]

I didn't know this, but Harden & Beverley appeared at Sampson's introduction. Pretty cool of those guys!

He talked about being close with the Rockets players and the first guy he mentioned...was Lin! I have to admit that I chuckled. So many of Lin's more ardent supporters probably can't fathom the idea that Lin & Sampson not only getting along, but getting along well! There really is just so much we can glean from the sidelines.

~lol~ Well, it's basically all speculations. We just don't know much what's going on behind the scene. So maybe it's McHale's fault afterall? Or maybe Sampson likes Lin as a person but distrusts his abilities? Or maybe he just wants to get out of the mess? Or maybe they're real close but.......um......Harden and Beverley are the ones who went to his thing.....Lin's absent......um.......

[90sAllDecade]

Great hire.

What was smart was to hire him before recruiting season so he can have an impact on incoming talent in year one, not just an impact coaching.

This news and having a team good enough to make the tournament would bring in new fans and money to create better facilities.

The fact that he has a strong college win track record and was an NBA assistant, that knows what it takes to make it to the next level will be a big draw for recruiting.

I'm excited to see what happens at UH next year.