Court Report: Diverging Paths—Indiana and Kelvin Sampson Since 2008
Since their turbulent split in 2008, Indiana University and Kelvin Sampson have followed markedly different trajectories. The controversy surrounding Sampson’s tenure at Indiana, which ended in NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations, left the Hoosiers in disarray. Meanwhile, Sampson endured a period in basketball exile before engineering a remarkable resurgence.
Indiana’s road to recovery has been a long and winding one. Following Sampson’s forced departure, the program endured a full rebuild under Tom Crean. The sanctions left Indiana depleted, and Crean’s early years were defined by struggles. However, by 2011-12, the Hoosiers returned to national prominence, securing a No. 1 ranking and a Sweet 16 appearance behind stars like Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo. Crean led Indiana to two Big Ten titles before being dismissed in 2017, after which Archie Miller’s tenure failed to meet expectations. The hiring of Mike Woodson in 2021 signaled a return to Indiana’s roots, as the former Hoosier standout sought to restore the program’s traditional dominance.
Sampson, on the other hand, found himself largely out of the college basketball spotlight for several years. After a brief stint as an NBA assistant, he returned to the college ranks in 2014 as the head coach of the Houston Cougars. There, he rebuilt his reputation, transforming Houston into a powerhouse. Under his leadership, the Cougars have consistently been among the nation’s top programs, making multiple deep NCAA Tournament runs, including a Final Four appearance in 2021. His success at Houston reaffirmed his coaching prowess, proving that his time away from college basketball did not diminish his ability to lead.
The contrast between Indiana and Sampson’s post-breakup trajectories is striking. While Indiana has cycled through coaches in search of stability, Sampson has thrived, reestablishing himself as one of the premier coaches in college basketball. Though their paths have diverged, both have ultimately found success—Indiana in its slow return to prominence and Sampson in his redemption at Houston. The scars of their past remain, but their futures continue to unfold in separate yet compelling ways.
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