Ex-Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson hired by U. of Houston

Ending a more than six-year hiatus on a college sideline, former Indiana University coach Kelvin Sampson will take over in the same position at the University of Houston.

Since leaving Indiana in the winter of 2008 under a cloud of NCAA controversy, Sampson has served as an assistant in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks and, most recently, the Houston Rockets.

A longtime college coach, Sampson's route back into the college ranks was blocked by a five-year NCAA show-cause penalty, one of the organization's stiffest punishments. It was handed down in November 2008, after he was caught breaking or re-breaking several rules related to impermissible recruiting phone calls.

Penalties placed on Indiana's program related to Sampson's infractions expired long ago. The show-cause penalty ran out near the end of last year.

Houston athletic director Mack Rhoades, who has a master's degree from IU, said in a statement: "He was candid and completely transparent about his mistakes in the past. Coach Sampson is committed to leading a first-class program in all areas."

Sampson had been considered a likely candidate for a head coaching position in the NBA.

"I'm happy for him," said former IU forward Kyle Taber, who played for Sampson. "He's a good coach who has won at every school he's been at. I know he's learned from his mistakes, and I wouldn't be surprised to see (Houston) in the (NCAA) tournament soon."

Over stops at Washington State, Oklahoma and Indiana, Sampson guided his teams to more than a dozen NCAA Tournament appearances and one Final Four, in 2002. He coached at IU for one full season and part of the next season, before resigning.

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.