Tradition, football country, recruiting area. But this is basketball. And the Sooners' only advantage in the Sampson Sweepstakes was that it's home. Which is no small thing. Oklahoma has been good to Sampson, and Sampson has been good to Oklahoma.
Roots can grow deep in six years.
This is where his daughter graduated high school. Where his son is growing up. Where his players, whom he seems to so dearly love, are. Oklahoma is a great place. Sampson has a great job.