Report: Bucks interview Houston's Kelvin Sampson
The Milwaukee Bucks have interviewed University of Houston bench boss Kelvin Sampson for their head coaching vacancy, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Sampson has been one of college basketball's top coaches over the last six years, leading the Cougars to a 176-34 mark and five NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Final Four in 2021.
During that same span, the school captured four AAC regular-season titles and two conference tournament crowns.
Only Hall of Famer Guy Lewis has registered more wins at the helm of Houston's men's basketball team.
Sampson's reported meeting with the Bucks was described as "a visit," a source told Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle. The Cougars simultaneously offered Sampson a new contract that would apparently make him among the 15 highest-paid coaches in college basketball, adds Duarte.
The 67-year-old later commented on the apparent interview.
"Can't wait to compete in Big 12 next season. Go Coogs!" Sampson said in a text message to Duarte.
Prior to rebuilding Houston into a national contender, the former Pac-10 Coach of the Year spent six years in the NBA as an assistant.
From 2008-11, Sampson was a member of the Bucks' coaching staff under Scott Skiles. The North Carolina native subsequently joined the Houston Rockets, serving as Kevin McHale's assistant for another three years.
Milwaukee has been linked to a number of coaches since dismissing Mike Budenholzer earlier this month, including Monty Williams, Kenny Atkinson, Frank Vogel, and Mark Jackson.