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Bob Stoops a 'big fan' of Kelvin Sampson's success at Houston

On3 imageby:Dan Morrison•01/13/23•

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Bob Stoops
Al Tielemans / Contributor PhotoG/Getty

For a while, Bob Stoops was the Oklahoma football coach while Kelvin Sampson was the school’s basketball coach. Ultimately, Sampson left for Indiana where trouble with the NCAA followed. He’s since bounced back, turning Houston into one of the best teams in the country.

At the Bear Bryant Awards, Stoops spoke about Sampson, saying that he’s a big fan and happy for Sampson’s success at Houston.

“Love it,” Bob Stoops said in an exclusive interview with On3. “Love it for Kelvin and the whole Houston basketball program, what they’re doing, as well as — I think Dana Holgorsen has done a great job here as well. Overall, I know they had a bunch of injuries this year, and wasn’t quite the year they wanted but winning the bowl game was big.”

Stoops made it clear that he wasn’t just interested in Houston basketball, but the football program too. After many people expected Houston to be the Group of Five representative in the New Year’s Six, the Cougars missed the AAC Championship Game, going 8-5.

“But I’m a big fan of Kelvin. We’re very good friends and happy he’s doing so well. Wish him the best here finishing out, you know, this year, and again, I’m a big fan of Dana Holgorsen as well. So, I was able to see him last night and today a little bit so again, I’m a big fan of both those guys.”

Houston under Kelvin Sampson is currently ranked first in the country in the AP Poll. At 17-1, the Cougars seem destined for a one-seed in March.

Bob Stoops admitted to rooting against Iowa

Bob Stoops is an Iowa graduate, as is his brother Mark Stoops. Mark, being the head coach at Kentucky, had to play his alma mater in the Music City Bowl. Because of this, brother Bob had to root against his own school too.

I watch them a lot. I love watching the Hawkeyes and record them about every week. You know, so proud of Kirk Ferentz,” Stoops said.

“Hate that they beat Kentucky, just because blood’s thicker than water. My brother’s on that side. But if anyone’s going to beat him, I’m glad it was Iowa and Kirk Ferentz.”