University of Houston Director of Player Development Hollis Price will move into a new position as Special Assistant to the Head Coach during the 2021-22 season, Head Coach Kelvin Sampson announced Wednesday.
Following the Cougars’ run to the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 1984, assistant coach Alvin Brooks left the Cougars to become the head coach at his alma mater, Lamar. Former Assistant Director of Development Mikhail McLean also joined Brooks’ Lamar staff as assistant coach.
This is the latest staff announcement. Earlier this week, K.C. Beard was named the Cougars’ assistant coach after serving as the team’s video coordinator, and Anthony Goldwire was hired as the program’s Director for Player Development.
After serving as director for player development for the last seven years, Price will become special assistant to the head coach. In that role, he will continue his work with Sampson, the coaching staff and student-athletes.
In addition, he will serve as an advisor to that group and help foster an environment that promotes the well-being and personal development of student-athletes.
In Price’s seven years with the Cougars, Houston has earned five postseason appearances, including three straight NCAA Tournament berths and the 2021 NCAA Final Four, three American Athletic Conference championships and six straight 20-win seasons.
Price joined the Cougars in May 2014 as director of player development and worked closely with coaches and student-athletes in a variety of duties essential to the program’s success.
“I have known Hollis Price since 1997. Hollis is like a son to me. He is so dependable,” Sampson said. “Hollis’ personality is important in this program. He and (Assistant Coach) Quannas (White) play off each other well. Quannas is more fiery, while Hollis is more calm. I am thrilled with my staff. I couldn’t ask for a better staff.”
Price was an award-winning guard for Sampson at Oklahoma from 1999 to 2003. He led the Sooners to a school-record 110 wins during his time in Norman, Okla., and earned multiple All-America honors as a senior following the 2002-03 season.
After a nine-year professional career overseas, Price entered the coaching ranks as an assistant coach with the Texas Legends in the NBA Developmental League during the 2013-14 season for Head Coach Eduardo Najera.
