Skip to main content
Bobby Champagne, Hiring

Bobby Champagne Joins Men’s Basketball Staff

10/5/2021 8:32:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Longtime coaching veteran will serve as director of operations & basketball strategy

HOUSTON – Longtime coaching veteran Bobby Champagne has joined the University of Houston Men's Basketball program as its director of operations and basketball strategy, Head Coach Kelvin Sampson announced Tuesday.
 
This will be the third school at which Champagne has worked for Sampson. He previously served as Sampson's coach at Oklahoma from 1994 to 1997 and at Washington State from 1991 to 1994.
 
In their years together, Sampson and Champagne have combined for 118 wins with five postseason appearances, including four NCAA Tournaments.
 
In his new role with the Cougars, Champagne will work closely with Sampson and the coaching staff. His primary responsibilities include scheduling games, coordinating team travel, managing the program's budget, organizing day-to-day schedules and other operational duties. He also serves as liaison for the program to the Athletics Department and the University.
 
"Bobby is a basketball guy and is somebody I have always had great respect for. I know how good he is, how smart he is and how tough he is. He fits our culture." Sampson said. "Culture starts at the top and goes all the way down. Everybody in our program has to fit the culture we created here, and Bobby is a great fit for us."
 
Champagne comes to Houston after serving as the head coach at Tharptown High School in Russellville, Ala.
 
From 2003 to 2018 he served as the head coach at North Alabama. During that time, he compiled a 245-194 record with four NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight berth in 2008.
 
His 2008 squad won the NCAA Division II South Regional championship and the Gulf South Conference Tournament as he was recognized as the South Region Coach of the Year by the NCAA.
 
In addition to his work with Sampson at Washington State and Oklahoma, Champagne also served as an assistant coach at UTEP (2002-03), Georgia State (2001-02) and Louisiana (1997-01).
 
Champagne began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at South Alabama during the 1989-90 season and worked as a coach for the Louisiana Stars AAU team in 1990.
 
A native of Lafayette, La., Champagne and his wife, Anna, have three sons, Charlie, Will and Joe, and a daughter Annie.
 
He replaces Meshu Negga, who recently accepted a position as director of basketball operations with the Utah Jazz G League's Salt Lake City Stars.
 
ABOUT BOBBY CHAMPAGNE
Hometown: Lafayette, La.
College: South Alabama '90
Family: Married
Wife: Anna
Sons: Will, Charlie and Joe
Daughter: Annie

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2021 –  Houston, director of basketball operations & strategy
2021 Tharptown High School, head coach (Russellville, Ala.)
2003-18 North Alabama, head coach
2002-03 UTEP assistant coach
2001-02 Georgia State, assistant coach
1997-01 Louisiana, assistant coach
1994-97 Oklahoma, assistant coach
1991-94 Washington State, assistant coach
1990 Louisiana Stars AAU, coach
1989-90 South Alabama, graduate assistant coach

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
1987-89 South Alabama
– All-Academic Team
– President's List
– Dean's List
1986-88 Coastal Alabama College
 
BUY TICKETS
Houston Men's Basketball fans can now purchase season tickets and mini-plans for the 2021-22 season. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets soon as limited numbers of each are available.
 
Once season tickets and mini-plans sell out, only a small number of single-game tickets will be available for purchase.
 
To buy season tickets and/or mini-plans, fans can click here anytime or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.
 
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
 
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
 
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).
 
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
 
– UHCougars.com –