Houston’s Kelvin Sampson Had the Most Heated Ejection of the College Hoops Season
This was a wild scene.
Houston Cougars men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson got ejected from Tuesday night’s blowout win over Oklahoma State, and he sure got his money’s worth.
Sampson, one of the nation’s most fiery coaches, took exception to a no-call early in the second half when Oklahoma State center Brandon Garrison appeared to push off on Houston’s Jamal Shead for an easy layup. Even with a 20-point lead, Sampson was incensed, storming out onto the court from the opposite end of the floor to give the officials a piece of his mind. It didn’t take long for him to be assessed with a pair of technical fouls and ejected from the game, leaving his son Kellen as the team’s acting head coach for the remainder of the blowout win.
Here’s the hilarious scene:
Kelvin Sampson TOSSED ???? pic.twitter.com/QS4J7m0V9k
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 7, 2024
Amazingly, it’s the first time in Sampson’s 10 years at Houston that he has been ejected. He certainly delivered a performance for the ages to get run.
Postgame, Sampson declined to speak on his ejection, questioning a reporter on why he’d ask such a question given that Baylor AD Mack Rhoades was fined $25,000 by the Big 12 earlier in the week for critical comments about officiating.
“If I say something [to] answer your question, they fine me $25,000,” he said. "What part of $25,000 are you willing to pay? So don’t ask me silly questions, because there’s a $25,000 fine if I tell the truth.”
The whole thing was classic Sampson, and him going crazy despite the team’s big lead produced plenty of laughs around the internet.
He was absolutely right for going off like that and he absolutely deserved every bit of that ejection lol https://t.co/IIsYnM6rpg
— B⚡️ (@SgaAccount) February 7, 2024
they are up 20 https://t.co/HuLRfKAtXV
— ILLUMINATI (@itsillumin) February 7, 2024
In my opinion, this would motivate me that much more to play harder for my coach. Up 20 and he’s out there fighting for his players. That’s a players coach right there. Love this. https://t.co/tqF9S1w2JP
— Jordan Stocks (@StockTalks21) February 7, 2024
Getting thrown out while up 20 is the energy I need https://t.co/APJxlEBGxo
— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) February 7, 2024
Now THAT is an ejection ???????????? https://t.co/cNpQrIsAEd
— Jared Leeper (@jared_leeper) February 7, 2024