It was at Michigan State in 1979 that Jud Heathcoate handed Kelvin Sampson his first coaching stint as a graduate assistant. Almost half a century later, he was still at the top of his game. At Houston, his fourth college as a head coach, Sampson led the Cougars to three 30-win seasons in his first 11 years, including a school-record 33 wins in 2018-19 and 2022-23. The program rightfully rewarded him for it by making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the league.

Although they’re not a traditional powerhouse, H-Town made a Final Four appearance and 7 NCAA Tournament appearances under him from 2014 through 2025. Favorites or not, Kelvin Sampson embraces being the underdog and if you were to believe his coaching résumé, he has a lot more bite than bark.

What is Kelvin Sampson’s contract with the Houston Cougars? How long is the deal?

In June 2023, Sampson signed a contract extension with the University of Houston, increasing his annual pay to approximately $4.7 million. What made this contract special was that it also formalized the coaching succession plan proposed in 2019, which would see his son, Kellen Sampson, being designated head coach-in-waiting on the Houston staff.

Kelvin’s love for coaching was a by-product of the love he had for his father, John ‘Ned’ Sampson, who was an inspiration behind his path. Ned, who was a longtime high school coach and athletic director, was also a mentor to Kelvin, growing up. “Pretty good person to have as a role model and hero,” he had said. The Houston coach has since gone on to inspire millions, including his son, who shall now steer the ship once his father steps down.

While the contract is surely a testament to the coaching ability of Kellen Sampson, it also displays the love and respect the organization has for Kelvin and his family. This contract would keep Kelvin Sampson in Houston through the 26-27 season. It would also elevate him from 30th to eighth among the highest-paid men’s basketball coaches, according to USA Today’s database of salaries for the 2022-23 season.

How much will Kelvin Sampson earn in the 2024-25 NCAA season?

Sampson will earn approximately $4.7 million for the 2024-25 season as part of his contract. He is also eligible to receive a $100,000 incentive for each NCAA Tournament qualifier until the 2026-27 season. What makes the contract even better is that it calls for an additional $1 million in incentives if The Cougars were to win the NCAA Basketball Championship. If you see a shooting star in Houston, you know what to do.

Sampson has already triggered incentives for Big 12 regular-season title ($25,000), conference coach of the year ($10,000) and season ticket sales exceeding 4,500 ($10,000). He will receive an additional $20,000 for a final Top 25 ranking and $27,500 if the Cougars reach certain academic marks.

What was Kelvin Sampson’s previous contract with the Houston Cougars?

In 2019, Sampson was offered a six-year, $18 million offer through the 2024-25 season. It was also here that Kellen was named head coach-in-waiting.

As a part of the deal, Kelvin earned an average of $3 million per year, which was ranked 21st nationally at the time of signing. While Arkansas did eye him for their head coach job, it was to the delight of Chris Pezman, Vice President for Athletics that Sampson decided to stick with his team.

“We built this program to a point where we can compete for championships now, and I am glad our administration is on board,” he had said as he signed the deal.

What is Kelvin Sampson’s net worth in 2025?

Sampson has been one of the most successful coaches in college basketball. Before he arrived in Houston, Kelvin had spent 6 years in the NBA as an assistant coach. The first 3 with the Houston Rockets and the remaining with the Milwaukee Bucks. This was a result of the five-year coaching ban imposed on him for recruiting violations which forced him out of Indiana. His contract with the Hoosiers was worth $10.8 million over seven years and had received a $750,000 buyout from Indiana upon leaving for the NBA.

Though Sampson has received significant financial gains through college basketball, his importance far outweighs them, as he has been influential in transforming programs wherever he set foot. He has multiple Coach of the Year awards to his name including the Henry Iba Award, the Associated Press National Coach of the Year, and the Big 12 Coach of the Year. So it serves as no surprise that his net worth is expected to reach a staggering $20 million by February 2025. This figure comprises his coaching salary, performance incentives, and potential endorsement deals garnered during his extended career.