Houstonian of the Year: Kelvin Sampson and UH were made for each other | Opinion |
This year the Houston Chronicle editorial board decided to spotlight those individuals whose advocacy, actions and investments over the past year reflect our region at its best. These Houstonians of the Year not only recognize success, they lift up the hard work and civic impact that makes Houston a better place to live.
Eleven years ago, the University of Houston men’s basketball program was in the wilderness. Decades removed from their storied Phi Slama Jama era in the 1980s, the Cougars were toiling in a mid-major conference whiffing on coaching hires and high-profile recruits and mostly failing to even sniff an NCAA tournament berth. In a sense, Kelvin Sampson and UH were made for each other. Prior to joining the Cougars, Sampson had........