Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson has expressed deep concerns about the current and future state of college basketball, warning that the sport is becoming increasingly chaotic and difficult to manage.

In the wake of major changes such as the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, Sampson believes the sport is on an unpredictable trajectory.

Sampson, who has been coaching for decades, did not hold back in his assessment of the current landscape. “We used to be in control of this game. No. Nobody controls college basketball. We just sit and figure out what to do next,” he said. His remarks reflect the growing sentiment that the sport has evolved beyond the grasp of traditional governance structures.

One of the primary issues Sampson highlighted is the rampant movement of players through the transfer portal. The once-rare occurrence of players switching schools mid-career has now become an annual norm. With players having more freedom than ever to transfer without penalty, coaches struggle to maintain roster stability. “It’s grown into this phenomenon. It’s so big we couldn’t keep up with it. We can’t keep up with the governance of it,” Sampson added.

In addition to the transfer portal, the rise of NIL deals has added another layer of complexity to college basketball. While the ability for players to earn money off their name, image, and likeness is widely seen as a positive step, it has also created an environment where financial incentives can influence player decisions in unprecedented ways. Sampson pointed out the unpredictability of this system, stating, “Next year, who knows where it’s going to take us. So, you never know.”

This uncertainty has left many coaches and administrators scrambling to adapt. With little regulation and a rapidly evolving financial landscape, schools are constantly trying to adjust to new realities. Sampson believes this reactive approach is causing college basketball to fall further behind. “It’s outsmarted us. And we’re trying to catch up. The more we catch up, the more we find out we’re that much further behind,” he explained.

As college basketball continues to evolve at a rapid pace, Sampson’s concerns highlight the need for reform and better management. Whether or not the NCAA and other governing bodies can regain control of the sport remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—chaos is here to stay, and according to Sampson, it’s only going to get worse.