Sumlin Named Coogs’ New Head Coach

Last week, UH Athletics Director Dave Maggard named Kevin Sumlin as the University of Houston’s new head football coach. Sumlin becomes the 11th head coach in UH history, and the first African-American to lead the Cougar program.

“He's a man of strong character,” Maggard said. “I felt the need to have someone that will set high expectations and meet the high expectations we have here at the University of Houston. The vision here for us is to reclaim our position in the national picture. In my conversations with Kevin, he feels that's more than possible.”

The 43-year-old Sumlin arrives at UH after spending the past five seasons at the University of Oklahoma, where he has served as both the co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach (2006-07) and special teams coordinator/tight end coach (2003-05). Prior to his stint at OU, Sumlin spent two seasons at Texas A&M University, where he served as the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Sumlin also had stops at his alma mater, Purdue, (1998-2001), Minnesota (1993-97) and Wyoming (1991-92). He began his career as a graduate assistant at Washington State University.

"I bring both energy and excitement to the program, as well as an aggressive style of offense and defense,” Sumlin said. “It will be a style that the players will want to play and a style that our fans will like to watch.”

The Indiana native graduated from Purdue in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in both criminology and liberal arts. Sumlin and his wife Charlene have four children: daughters Courtney and Shelby, and sons Jackson and J.R.

UH Quarterback Named C-USA Freshman of the Year

University of Houston redshirt freshman quarterback Case Keenum was recently selected as the Consensus 2007 Conference USA Freshman of the Year. He was also named Honorable Mention Freshman All-America by The Sporting News.

Stepping into the shoes of the departed Kevin Kolb, Keenum led the Cougars to an 8-4 record and a Co-West Division Championship with Tulsa. Under Keenum's leadership, the Houston offense generated 513.17 yards and 36.33 points per game, as Keenum was the top freshman quarterback nationally to lead an offense ranked in the Top 9. He was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team and was an honorable mention, Conference USA selection as well.

Keenum passed for 1,924 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing 69.8 percent (164-of-235) of his passes, and rushed for an additional 414 yards and nine scores. His passing efficiency rating of 148.30 ranked 16th nationally, and he averaged 194.83 yards of total offense per game.

The UH quarterback becomes the fourth Cougar to win the C-USA Freshman of the Year award, joining Kolb (2003), quarterback Jason McKinley (1997) and running back Ketric Sanford (1996) in this illustrious group.

UH Slams Kentucky; Matches Best Start Ever

The University of Houston men's basketball team won its ninth consecutive game and improved its record to 10-1 with an 83-69 victory over the University of Kentucky earlier this week at Hofheinz Pavilion.

Dion Dowell scored 19 points and Robert McIver added 18 as UH claimed its first win in school history over the Wildcats. Tafari Toney also contributed with nine points and eight rebounds, and Lanny Smith had eight assists for the Cougars. With the win, UH matched its best start since 1983-84 when Houston, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, advanced to the NCAA Championship game.

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