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Entering his second year as the head football coach at the University of Houston, Kevin Sumlin has already put his stamp on the Cougar football program. Taking over the reins of the program in December of 2007, Sumlin guided the Cougars to their fourth-straight bowl appearance and became the first UH coach in 28 years to lead his team to a bowl victory, as Houston topped Air Force 34-28 in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. The bowl victory was not the only highlight of Sumlin's first season as head coach. In week five of the season, the Cougars knocked off #23 East Carolina, 41-24, posting Houston's first road win over a ranked opponent in 24 years. And coupled with their 70-30 victory over #24 Tulsa in November, it marked the first time since 1984 that Houston defeated two ranked teams in the same season. Additionally, Sumlin guided the Cougars to a perfect 5-0 mark at home and a 6-2 finish in Conference USA action. He was one of only 10 first-year Football Bowl Subdivision coaches to guide his team to a bowl game, and one of only six to win the bowl contest. And with their eight victories, Sumlin recorded the most wins by a first-year head coach in UH history. Statistically it was an outstanding inaugural season for Sumlin as well, as the Cougars established 22 new season and career records in 2008. The Houston offense ranked #2 nationally in both total offense (562.8 ypg) and passing yards (401.6 ypg), #4 in first downs (355), and #10 in both scoring (40.6 ppg) and 3rd down percentage (51.0). Sophomore quarterback Case Keenum finished the year as the nation's leader in total offense (403.2 ypg) and #2 in passing yards per game (386.2 ypg), while senior defensive end Phillip Hunt finished #2 nationally in sacks per game (1.08 spg). Under Sumlin's guidance, Keenum was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, Hunt was named the Defensive Player of the Year, and freshman running back Bryce Beall was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year. Overall, the Cougars garnered over 60 individual honors following the 2008 season. Sumlin came to Houston after seven seasons as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator in the Big 12. When introduced to lead the Cougar in December of 2007, Sumlin became the 12th head coach in UH history and the first African-American to lead the prestigious Cougar Program. With a reputation for engineering high-powered offenses and considered one of the country's top recruiters, Sumlin brought with him a wealth of collegiate coaching experience and a penchant for innovative ideas and styles. The 44-year-old Sumlin spent the previous five seasons at the University of Oklahoma, where he served as both the co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach (2006-07) and special teams coordinator/tight ends coach (2003-05). In 2007, the OU receivers recorded 19 touchdowns while Malcolm Kelly and Juaquin Iglesias provided one of the best 1-2 receiving punches in the nation, ranking fifth and sixth in the OU record book for receiving yards in a season. Offensively, the Sooners finished fifth in the nation in scoring offense at 42.3 points per game, while ranking 19th nationally in total offense averaging 448.9 yards per game. The 2006 season saw OU's receivers catch 17 touchdown passes while Kelly reached 1,000 career receiving yards faster than any player in school history. The Sooner offense ranked 19th nationally in scoring offense at 30.3 points per game. Prior to becoming co-offensive coordinator, Sumlin served as the Sooners' special teams coordinator. In 2005, sophomore punter Cody Freeby ranked 27th nationally with a 42.3 yard average, while OU ranked 10th in the country in net punting, averaging 37.8 yards per kick. Before his arrival in Norman, Sumlin spent two seasons at Texas A&M University, where he served as the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Three games into the 2002 campaign, Sumlin was thrust into the offensive coordinator role, and the Aggies averaged 33.0 points per game after posting just 16.0 ppg before he took control. The A&M offense also averaged 419 yards per game after netting an average of 286 yards in the season's first three contests. Sumlin also has stops at his alma mater, Purdue (1998-2001), Minnesota (1993-97) and Wyoming (1991-92). Purdue's 1998 receivers set school records with 377 receptions for 4,208 yards and 43 touchdowns. The Boilermakers' Chris Daniels set a Big Ten record with 121 catches and recorded another Big Ten record with 21 receptions in one game. Sumlin began his career as a graduate assistant at Washington State for Mike Price (1989-90). He also has been an assistant coach under Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), R.C. Slocum (Texas A&M), Joe Tiller (Purdue and Wyoming), Jim Wacker (Minnesota) and Glen Mason (Minnesota). Sumlin has coached in nine bowl games, including all four BCS games. Five came during his time at Oklahoma (2008 Fiesta, 2007 Fiesta, 2005 Holiday, 2005 Orange, 2004 Sugar), one at Texas A&M (2002 GalleryFurniture.com) and three with Purdue (2002 Rose, 2000 Outback, 1998 Alamo). A four-year letterman as a linebacker at Purdue (1983-86), Sumlin still ranks among the top 10 in career tackles for the Boilermakers. He was named to Sports Illustrated's All-America walk-on list as a freshman after leading Purdue with 91 tackles. He was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 1984 and helped the team reach the Peach Bowl. Sumlin also earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors as a senior, ranking No. 5 in the league with 114 tackles. The Indianapolis, Ind., native graduated from Purdue in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in both criminology and criminal justice. Sumlin and his wife Charlene have four children: daughters Courtney and Shelby, and sons Jackson and Joey.
THE SUMLIN FILE COACHING HISTORY PLAYING HISTORY |
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