Kelvin Sampson encouraged Porter Moser to take OU job
OU head coach Porter Moser has known Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson for almost 30 years. A history that dates back to when Sampson was running the show in Norman, and Moser was an assistant coach at Texas A&M.
But it wasn’t until the NCAA Tournament bubble where Moser really got to know, like really got to know Sampson. During the first tournament post-COVID-19, all the teams were together in Indianapolis.
For the Sweet 16 round, which Loyola (Chicago) wasn’t even supposed to be in, the team rooms for the Ramblers and Cougars were right next to each other.
“I remember talking to him in the Bubble,” Moser told SoonerScoop on Friday. “All the teams were there in the team rooms. When we got to the Sweet 16, our team room was right next to Houston. We had a week off, so every day, saw coach.
“My name was rumored for a lot of jobs. Oklahoma, at the time, wasn’t open. We were talking about being happy. I remember talking to him when Oklahoma was open. He was like, that is the best place, best people. He had the greatest things to say about it.”
Moser is always about appreciating the past and respecting history. He knows what Sampson meant to the program, beyond the wins and losses and the 2002 Final Four.
And it’s clear all these years later, OU still means a lot to Sampson.
“I mean it’s not a normal game,” said Sampson on Thursday. “I’m not going to sit here and say that. It’s a place that our family spent 12 years. A lot of dear friends.
“Kellen and Lauren. I have four Oklahoma graduates on my staff. This place has a special mean to all of us. We’ve met some lifelong friends.”
Sampson remembers coaching with Bob Stoops, Sherri Coale, Patty Gasso. Hall of Famers galore, and surely, Sampson will be among that group in due time.
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Of course, Sampson is not coming alone. Kellen Sampson, Quannas White and Hollis Price will all be making their return to the Lloyd Noble Center as well.
“But on a personal note, for Coach Sampson and Kellen, his son, and his family, Quannas (White) and Hollis (Price), who meant a lot here,” Moser said. “I mean, those guys paved the way. Those guys are a big part of Oklahoma history. What they did here, we sell the past as part of building the future, and that’s why we brought them back.
“This offseason we brought back that Final Four team, the 20th anniversary, and honored all those guys. That was a big part of it. I know he’s beloved here. Those players are. So, that’s a nice dynamic of it, but make no mistake, we’re trying to win the game, and so are they.”
That’s where we take a turn. It will be an incredible weekend celebration, but then there’s the game. No. 1 Houston coming to town. OU (19-9, 7-8) is in a nice spot for the NCAA Tournament. But you take down No. 1, that will mean something.
That will be the goal for the Sooners, obviously. Sampson doesn’t patrol the sidelines anymore in Norman, but he’s excited about who is calling the shots.
“I’ve known Porter for a long time,” Sampson said. “Oklahoma is so lucky to have him as their coach. He’s one of the best coaches in the country. It should be a good game.”
