NCAA Basketball: 5 coaches who deserve a lifetime deal like Bill Self’s at Kansas

Kelvin Sampson, Houston

When Kelvin Sampson was forced to resign from Indiana under the cloud of serious NCAA rule violation allegations, it seemed his college career was over. A five-year show clause penalty appeared to confirm as much.

A decade later, Sampson not only salvaged his career, but seemed to find a home for the rest of his career.

Sampson arrived to the Houston Cougars in April 2014. Since then, all he’s done is win and transform the program, becoming the second-winningest coach in school history and helping the program jump up to the Big 12 this season.

After missing the NCAA Tournament in each of his first three seasons with the Cougs, Sampson has taken his team to every Big Dance held since The team made it to the second weekend in each of the past four NCAA Tournaments, including one trip to the Final Four.

Even as the Cougars enter a new conference, Sampson still has one of the best teams in the nation. The team is off to a 4-0 start and is ranked No. 6 in the AP poll.

This summer, Kelvin Sampson signed a contract extension taking him through the 2026-27 season, when Kelvin will be 71 years old. The deal also finalized the succession plan, putting son Kellen in charge once Kelvin calls it a day.

Kelvin Sampson hasn’t given any indication on when he plans to retire. It would be understandable to assume that a septuagenarian doesn’t want to deal with NIL issues and be running around the country recruiting high school students.

Sampson turned a program that embraced mediocrity into one that accepts nothing less than success, though. He can stay there for as long as keeps the program winning and above controversy.