Kellen Sampson, son of Houston Cougars Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, has been a full-time assistant coach under his father since 2014. Kelvin Sampson, the second-winning coach in UH history, has been dubbed the “most charismatic leader” in college basketball. This article focuses on Kellen Sampson’s life and career, namely his age, income, and contributions to basketball. Kelvin Dale Sampson, born on October 5, 1955, is a well-known figure in American collegiate basketball coaching. He presently coaches the University of Houston basketball team.
Sampson started his career in North Carolina, where he succeeded academically and athletically at Pembroke High School. Similarly, he pursued his studies at Pembroke State University and Michigan State University. Meanwhile, Sampson began his coaching career at Michigan State as a graduate assistant in 1979. He was the head coach at Montana Tech, Washington State University, University of Oklahoma, and Indiana University. Similarly, he has played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Houston Rockets after his departure due to NCAA fines. Finally, Sampson returned to collegiate basketball as the University of Houston Cougars’ head coach in 2014.
Who Is Kellen Sampson: Kelvin Sampson’s Son?
Kellen Sampson was born into a basketball household and inherited his father, Kelvin Sampson,’s enthusiasm for the game. As a result, Kellen was immersed in the world of basketball from an early age, studying the subtleties of the sport. His academic credentials include degrees in communications and intercollegiate sports administration from the University of Oklahoma.
Kellen, who played at Oklahoma from 2004 to 2007, was named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2007. Kellen pursued a coaching career after graduating. Initially, he worked as a graduate assistant under his father at Indiana University for the 2007–2008 season. He continued his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma, and then as a strength and conditioning coach.
Kellen subsequently became an assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin in 2010-11, when he helped the club win 18 games. His coaching career also includes three years at Appalachian State from 2011 to 2014, before joining the University of Houston. Throughout his stint with the Houston Cougars, Kellen was instrumental in the team’s success. His accomplishments include five straight NCAA Tournament berths and six American Athletic Conference championships, ending in a 2021 NCAA Final Four berth.
How Old is Kellen Sampson?
Kellen Sampson was born on June 18, 1985, and is presently 38 years old. He is the son of Kelvin Sampson and Karen Lowry. He grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, with his sister Lauren, who is the Men’s Basketball Director of External Operations at the University of Houston. Kellen is married to Tonya, and they have a daughter called Maisy and a boy named Kylen.
Kellen Sampson’s family has a long history of coaching, which is noteworthy. He is the third generation of his family to seek a profession in coaching. Aside from his father, his grandpa, John W. “Ned” Sampson, was a well-known high school coach in Pembroke, North Carolina. In addition, Ned Sampson’s accomplishments in the coaching profession earned him induction into the North Carolina Coaching Hall of Fame.
What is Kellen Sampson’s Salary?
Kellen signed a new contract in June 2023, solidifying his status on the coaching staff. The contract included a coaching succession plan in advance of Kelvin’s retirement from the team, with Kellen serving as head coach-in-waiting. Kellen Sampson’s contract states that he will earn $550,000 as an assistant coach for the 2023-24 season. Furthermore, he will receive $600,000 in 2024-25 and $650,000 in 2025-26. Overall, these data highlight Kellen Sampson’s potential and contributions as a major player in the organization’s future leadership.
