For the past two decades, basketball has been a major part of Clinton Sampson's life. From his playing days at Simsboro High School and Louisiana tech, to his coaching at both the junior high and high school levels Sampson has won.
While at Simsboro High, Sampson was fortunate enough to play for former Louisiana tech and Auburn head coach, Tommy Joe Eagles. Eagles' coaching style and philosophies rubbed off on Sampson.
"He was responsible for me playing basketball. He gave me a lot of insight into how the game should be played. Tommy Joe Eagles was very demanding and expected a lot from his players. He was also one of he best motivators I have ever seen."
At Simsboro, Sampson was Eagles' best player.
A three-year starter at Simsboro High School, Sampson helped Eagles' team to a Class C state Championship and a state runner-up finish. Sampson's incredible high school career culminated in first team all-state and prep All-America honors.
Sampson moved to nearby Louisiana Tech where he won three letters and played two seasons for Demon head coach J.D. Barnett. Sampson was twice named honorable mention All-Southland Conference, and was team co-captain as a senior in 1980. The Bulldogs were SLC champions in 1975-76 and runner-ups three years later.
One of the highlights of Sampson's coaching career was the 1988 state championship he helped win while at Ruston high School. As an assistant coach, Sampson helped guide the Bearcats to a 30-3 record and the Louisiana Class 4A state title. Members of that team included Scotty Thurman, who hit the 3-point basket that clinched an NCAA Championship for Arkansas over Duke tow years later.
Before coming to Northwestern to rejoin his college coach, J.D. Barnett, Sampson spent one year as the head basketball coach at Bastrop High School, a team that had not reached the state playoffs in 10 years. Sampson guided the Rams to a 19-10 record and a spot in the playoffs. Bastrop lost to the eventual state champion, Byrd of Shreveport.
Sampson's responsibilities include recruiting high schools in the region, public relations, and monitoring the progress of Demon players away from the court. He has been coordinator of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Youth Basketball League, involving more than 300 area boys and girls in conjunction with the Natchitoches Recreation Department. Sampson has also coordinated summer camps run by the Demon basketball program, bringing players, teams, and coaches on campus from around Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas.
His hands-on coaching duties are with the Demon big men.
The numbers speak loudly. In 12 years as both a head and assistant coach, Sampson has compiled a 173-130 record for a .571 winning percentage. That proven track record, a winning attitude and his ingenuity are among his many attributes for Northwestern.
Hometown: Simsboro, La.
Family: wife Barbara and children Candice, Sean, Kimberly, and Cameron
Playing Career:
    High School All-State
    All-American at Simsboro HS, 1975-76
  Louisiana Tech, 1976-80; team co-captain as a senior, twice honorable mention All-Southland Conference
Education: BS in Secondary Education from Louisiana Tech (1980)
Previous Coaching Experience:
  Bastrop High School, Head Coach, 1993-94
  Abbeville High School, Head Coach, 1990-93
  East Ascension High School, Assistant Coach, 1988-90
  Ruston High School, Assistant Coach, 1987-88
  Ruston Junior High, Head Coach, 1985-86
  Bastrop High School, Assistant Coach, 1984-85
