Baylor Coach Scott Drew Praises Kelvin Sampson After Tough Loss

HOUSTON, Texas — The Baylor Bears faced a challenging matchup against the No. 6 Houston Cougars earlier this week, resulting in an 11-point loss at the Fertitta Center. Despite the defeat, Baylor head coach Scott Drew expressed deep respect for Houston’s head coach, Kelvin Sampson, highlighting his significant achievements.

After the game, Drew urged Cougars fans to recognize the exceptional work Sampson has accomplished in his decade-long tenure at Houston. “Nothing but love and respect for Coach Sampson and what he’s done here,” Drew stated. “When the other coach gets announced, the place goes crazy. For what Coach Sampson has done here, it’s amazing. I just encourage everyone to appreciate him for what he’s built, because it’s a really hard place to play, and he deserves a lot of that credit.”

Sampson took over the Houston program before the 2014 season, and under his leadership, the Cougars have achieved notable milestones, including five trips to the Sweet 16, two to the Elite Eight, and one to the Final Four. With an overall record of 284–83, his current team stands at 20-4 this season and is set for continued success.

Since joining the Big 12 Conference last season, Sampson’s Cougars emerged as the regular season champions, and they currently hold the top position in the conference again, despite a narrow loss by just one point. Drew emphasized that Sampson’s accomplishments place him among the top coaches in college basketball, a recognition he believes is often overlooked.

As the season progresses, the Cougars remain a formidable challenge for any opponent, particularly at their home court. Houston will be on the road this Saturday in Tucson to take on the Arizona Wildcats but remains favored to win, underscoring the impressive coaching of Sampson.

As the 2024-25 season unfolds, the possibility of the Cougars finally securing a national championship grows more tangible. Drew firmly believes that with Sampson at the helm, they have a real chance to achieve this coveted goal in 2025.