The post Kevin Sumlin returns to familiar territory to take over Houston Gamblers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
After 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 happening. That season turned out to be a historic one, with Houston winning 13 regular-season games and ranking 18th in the coaches poll. Even then, Sumlin was a forthright man, cautious and direct, never overly reliant on hype. That tone never changed.
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Now, Sumlin is back in the Bayou City once again, this time as the head coach of the Houston Gamblers. The Sporting News caught up with the former Arizona, Texas A&M and Houston head coach as he begins this latest chapter, and the familiarity of the moment is palpable.
“This is a huge opportunity for me personally,” Sumlin said. “I have a lot of friends and family in the city of Houston. My daughter is an attorney there, so it’s a great situation. The fact that we play our home games in Houston makes it even better. It’s an opportunity to get to know the fans and generate more excitement. I really can’t wait.”
Houston has always been a place where Sumlin’s voice has spread. It was here that he first became a national name, his team played fast and free, and it was here that expectations were truly met. Now he inherits a different kind of legacy. The Gamblers brand remains etched in the city’s football memory, associated with Astrodome fans, Jim Kelly and the run-and-shoot offense that once defined spring football.
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“It’s legendary,” Sumlin said. “You hit the nail on the head. It was amazing what happened in those early USFL days. It’s awesome to think that I’m going to be a part of it again now. I think it’s going to be a great experience.”
Nostalgia, however, is not the basis of his approach. Sumlin made it clear that work has begun and structure is important.
“I’m actually going to have another meeting after this interview because we’re finalizing the staff and doing a full evaluation of the players,” he said. “The first thing is to identify the coordinator and then we’ll start putting together our roster.”
He also saw an opportunity to transcend one team. Across the United Football League, well-known names and experienced coaches are starting to lay the real foundation for the league.
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“There’s momentum,” Sumlin said. “There are some new players and some old players, and it’s a perfect mix of understanding the energy of football.”
Fifteen years after that first encounter in Houston, the circumstances have changed, but the tone has not. Kevin Sumlin is back where his football story has always been relevant.
