Kelvin Sampson

I didn't realize the difference between coaching college and coaching the NBA. It's a totally different animal.

You coach at a have-not school, and you have to have a competitiveness and a resolve and resiliency about you that's different, or you'll never make it. You've got to find a way to do more with less.

Little old University of Houston jumping up, swinging with the big boys, and that's something to take pride in. I'm happy for our fans, I'm happy for our alumni, but more importantly, I'm happy for our players.

Getting to the NBA really helped me personally on a lot of levels. I liked it so much that I wanted to stay there.

I learned a lot in the NBA.

I was comfortable in Pullman; I really was.

I liked coaching in an underdog situation.

You remember all your teachers.

I loved the NBA. I really did.

You're not a loser in anything until you quit. Don't quit.

My dad was a high school coach for 30-plus years in North Carolina, and he was inducted into the North Carolina High School Coaches Hall of Fame. He's the best coach I've known, in every way, all the way around - relationships, motivation, going the extra mile, always putting his kids first and foremost.

Coaching is what I love to do, and I think I'm pretty good at it.