About a month after leading Houston to the NCAA championship game, Kelvin Sampson agreed to a contract extension that not only bumped up his salary but could keep the 70-year-old in charge of the Cougars through the 2028-29 season.

However long he lasts, there could be a Sampson calling the shots for a whole lot longer.

For more than two years already, there has been a plan in place for his son, Kellen Sampson, to take over whenever his father hangs up the whistle. It is spelled out in paragraphs in each of their contracts, one of which says: “UH acknowledges and agrees that Kellen Sampson shall have and maintain the functional title of ‘head coach in waiting’ for the team.”

The reason for the succession plan, the elder Sampson said, is quite simple: “Nobody knows the program better.”

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