Overview

• Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars will compete for the NCAA men’s basketball national championship against Florida on Monday night, marking the pinnacle of Sampson’s career redemption.
• Sampson rebuilt his reputation and Houston’s program after NCAA violations at Oklahoma and Indiana led to a five-year show-cause penalty and a six-year NBA coaching stint.
• Houston’s success is rooted in an old-school coaching philosophy emphasizing player development, loyalty, and a family-oriented culture, contrasting with modern transactional trends in college basketball.
• Significant investments in facilities, including a $25 million practice facility and a $60 million arena upgrade, were critical to Houston’s transformation into a national powerhouse.
• The national championship game highlights the tension between traditional coaching values and the growing professionalization of college sports, as debates over player compensation continue to reshape the landscape.