UH coach Kelvin Sampson’s new contract includes a big realignment bonus.
The University of Houston and men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson have agreed to terms on a restructured contract that includes a $1 million bonus tied into conference realignment.
The new deal includes a two-year extension and $300,000 salary increase, pushing Sampson’s annual compensation package to $1.4 million, which puts him in the middle of the pack among men’s basketball head coaching salaries in the American Athletic Conference.
As part of the deal, Sampson will receive a $1 million bonus if, at any time while he’s head coach, UH becomes a member of a conference with annual television revenue worth more than $20 million per member. UH football coach Tom Herman has a similar incentive that pays him $5 million if the Cougars join a Power 5 conference.
“You can see that our men’s basketball program is heading in the right direction under Kelvin Sampson’s leadership,” said Hunter Yurachek, UH’s vice president for intercollegiate athletics.
The UH Board of Regents approved the new contract — worth at least $7 million over five years — on May 19.
The new contract runs through the 2020-21 season, putting Sampson in line to be on the bench when the Cougars complete a renovation of Hofheinz Pavilion. The $60 million project is expected to be completed in time for the 2018-19 season.
“The University of Houston is a program that should have national relevance,” Sampson said. “This year, we got on the map. The direction we’re going, we think we have a chance to really build something special here.”
Under Sampson, the Cougars went from 13-19 in his first season to 2210 this season and a spot in the National Invitation Tournament.
The nine-game improvement tied for the 13th-best turnaround in the nation.