How Two Coaches Took Different Paths After Indiana’s Split

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — As Indiana University prepares to announce its new head coach next month, it marks a significant moment in a storied program that has seen five coaching changes since the departure of Bob Knight in 2000. Each of these coaches, including Knight himself, has left the program under tumultuous circumstances, leading to questions about the future of Indiana basketball.

The history of Indiana basketball took a turn on Feb. 22, 2008, when Kelvin Sampson was fired after violating NCAA cellphone usage rules. At that time, Sampson held an impressive record of 43-15. However, since his departure, Indiana has struggled to regain its former glory, posting a mediocre 311-248 record and missing the NCAA Tournament nine times in the following seasons.

Meanwhile, Sampson’s career blossomed after leaving Indiana. He now serves as head coach for the University of Houston, where he has transformed the Cougars into a top contender in college basketball. Over nearly 11 seasons, he has amassed a record of 286-83, including multiple Sweet 16 appearances and a trip to the 2021 Final Four. Houston is currently on a historic run, extending its road winning streak to 12 games, positioning Sampson for a potential Hall of Fame induction.

‘I was addicted to the learning,’ Sampson said, reflecting on his transition to Houston.

In 2002, before his tenure at Indiana, Sampson joined the United States national team as an assistant coach, where he honed his skills alongside coaching legends such as George Karl and Gregg Popovich. After his firing from Indiana, he quickly found employment with the San Antonio Spurs, where he further developed his coaching acumen.

While the fallout from his departure had initially stained his reputation, it became a pivotal moment that allowed him to reinvent himself as one of the best college coaches today. Sampson acknowledged that his split from Indiana might have been the catalyst for his success. ‘I wouldn’t be so revered if not for what happened at Indiana,’ he said.

As he prepares for yet another NCAA Tournament, complete with an expected top seed for his team, the focus shifts once again to Indiana. The program faces the daunting task of rebuilding its image amidst a turbulent history.

‘You’re a college coach. Don’t forget that,’ Sampson recalled his late father telling him shortly before he returned to collegiate coaching.

Today, as Indiana reflects on a legacy shaped by long-forgotten triumphs and recent tribulations, the contrast between its trajectory and that of Sampson mirrors the ongoing struggles of college basketball programs striving to reclaim their former excellence. What could have been, had the circumstances been different, remains a compelling chapter in the story of both Sampson and Indiana basketball.