Upon moving to Houston about fifteen years ago, Kevin Sumlin was one of the first coaches I had the opportunity to cover in the media. At the time he was leading the Houston Cougars, a program on the verge of something special. That season became a historic streak, in which Houston won 13 regular-season games and finished 18th in the coaches’ poll. Even then, Sumlin was a sharpshooter, measured and direct, never relying too much on hype. That tone has never changed.
Advertisement
Now, Sumlin is back in the Bayou City once again, this time as head coach of the Houston Gamblers. Sporting News caught up with the former Arizona, Texas A&M and Houston head coach as he embarks on this latest chapter, and the familiarity of the moment was unmistakable.
“It’s a great opportunity for me personally,” Sumlin said. “I have a lot of friends, people and family in the city of Houston. My daughter is a lawyer there, so it’s a great situation. The fact that we play our home games in Houston makes it even better. It’s a chance to meet the fans and generate more excitement. I really can’t wait.”
Houston has always been a place where Sumlin’s voice is heard. It is where he first emerged as a national name, where his teams played fast and free, and where expectations came with real substance. Now he inherits a different kind of legacy. The Gamblers brand remains etched in the city’s football memory, tied to the Astrodome crowds, Jim Kelly and the Run and Shoot offense that once defined spring football.
FURTHER: Ole Miss lineman says Lane Kiffin is trying to ‘steal our shine’
Advertisement
“It’s legendary,” Sumlin said. “You hit the nail on the head. What happened in the original days of the USFL was amazing. It’s amazing to think that now I’m going to be a part of that again. I think it’s going to be a great experience.”
Nostalgia, however, is not the basis of his approach. Sumlin made it clear that the work has already begun and that structure is important.
“After this interview, I’ll actually head into another meeting while we’re finalizing the personnel and doing a full evaluation of the players,” he said. “The first thing is to define the coordinators and then we will begin to put together our list.”
He also sees opportunities beyond just one team. Across the United Football League, recognizable names and experienced coaches are starting to give the league a real footing.
Advertisement
“There’s a lot of momentum,” Sumlin said. “There are some new guys and some older guys, and it’s a great combination of energy that knows football.”
Fifteen years after they first crossed paths in Houston, the scene has changed, but the tone has not. Kevin Sumlin has returned to the place where his football story has always made sense.