Sampson on 700th career victory: 'It's been a wonderful journey'

University of Houston Cougars (UH) men’s basketball head coach Kelvin Sampson reached a pair of milestones in the No. 3-ranked program’s season-opening 83-36 victory over the Northern Colorado Bears at home on Monday. 

Citing The Associated Press (AP), Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that Sampson recorded his 700th overall career win and 200th over the helm of the Cougars, who tip their 2022-2023 campaign as strong national championship favorites. 

“An amazing career continues,” the team said in a celebratory tweet.

The AP reported that preseason All-American Marcus Sasser led UH with 21 points to signal his return from a toe injury that abruptly ended his season last year. 

Sasser said that he experienced “a lot of emotions,” per the report. 

“It’s been almost 11 months since I have been out there with this group of guys,” he said. “Being out there with them tonight, it was real fun and exciting to see all the hard work we’ve been putting in since June pay off.”

CBS Sports reported that Sampson’s head coaching career dates back to 1981 when he presided over the team at Montana Tech, and since then, his résumé included Washington State, Oklahoma, Indiana and UH. 

Per CBS Sports, he guided the Sooners and the Cougars to the Final Four of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. 

"It's been a wonderful journey," Sampson said in the report. "I have so many people to thank."

The AP reported that the 67-year-old Sampson stresses accountability to his players. 

“It starts with our defense,” the coach said. “We’re not always going to shoot well. That’s OK. Most teams don’t shoot well against us either.” 

Sampson’s program will hit the road for the first time on Friday with a matchup against the Saint Joseph’s Hawks at the latter’s gym.