Indiana introduces Sampson as new basketball coach

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - Forget any baggage Kelvin Sampson might bring to Indiana - the NCAA violations, the first-round tournament upset or his lack of Hoosier pedigree.

Athletic director Rick Greenspan believes Sampson is the man to lead the Hoosiers' proud program back to prominence. On Wednesday, the worst-kept secret in Bloomington was officially revealed when Sampson was introduced as Indiana's new coach.

"I understand what Indiana University stands for and over the next months and years, I will understand it even better because I don't want anything bad to happen to our program," Sampson said.

Sampson was a surprise choice to fans who clamored for one of the two of the most prominent former Hoosiers - Iowa's Steve Alford and Orlando Magic assistant Randy Wittman - rumored to be candidates for the job that opened when Mike Davis resigned after six seasons.

But Sampson's first appearance in Assembly Hall suggested many fans welcomed the choice.

A few hundred students gave Sampson a standing ovation when he walked in and chanted "Hoo, Hoo, Hoo-siers" when he was introduced. A couple dozen former players also applauded, literally, when Sampson walked onto his new home court.

For Sampson, a well-respected coach with a history of turning down jobs at prominent programs during a 12-year tenure at Oklahoma, the attraction of Indiana was leading one of America's most prestigious basketball schools.

A seven-year deal that pays an annual average income of $1.5 million, a figure Greenspan believes is the richest deal in school history for a coach, didn't hurt either.

"I came to Indiana for one reason: I think you can win championships at Indiana," Sampson said as he stood underneath the school's five national championship banners.

That line drew a rousing ovation from the students even though Sampson has only one Final Four appearance on his resume - a loss to Indiana in the 2002 national semifinals.

The questions were starting, too.

Some wondered whether there would be any fallout from an NCAA investigation into possible recruiting violations or whether Sampson's presence could tarnish the image of Indiana, which has long avoided NCAA trouble.

Sooners officials are expected to appear before an NCAA committee on April 21 to explain why Sampson and his staff allegedly made more than 550 impermissible phone calls to recruits.