Preferential Treatment: Sons of Famous Fathers Getting Inside Track to Job
Nepotism or not, Davidson's Matt McKillop became the latest son to promptly succeed his father (Bob) as head coach for a major university. Such a family handoff occurred twice at Valparaiso with Homer Drew (sons Scott and Bryce). DePaul's Joey Meyer is the only immediate successor of a father (Ray) serving as head coach at same school more than six seasons.
A father/son succession on the horizon is Kellen Sampson as Houston's head coach-in-waiting under his father (Kelvin has been the Cougars' bench boss since 2014-15). UH's coach-designate arrangement will allow them to join the following alphabetical list of schools featuring sons who succeeded well-known dad as head coach on a full-time basis:
| NCAA DI University | Father (Tenure) | Son (Tenure) |
|---|---|---|
| Davidson | Bob McKillop (1989-90 through 2021-22) | Matt McKillop (since 2023) |
| DePaul | Ray Meyer (1942-43 through 1983-84) | Joey Meyer (1984-85 through 1996-97) |
| Drake | Dr. Tom Davis (2003-04 through 2006-07) | Keno Davis (2007-08) |
| High Point | Orlando "Tubby" Smith (2018-19 to 2021-22) | Guffrie "G.G." Smith (since 2022) |
| Oklahoma State | Eddie Sutton (1990-91 through 2005-06) | Sean Sutton (2005-06 through 2007-08) |
| Texas Tech | Bob Knight (2001-02 to 2007-08) | Pat Knight (2007-08 through 2010-11) |
| UAB | Gene Bartow (1978-79 through 1995-96) | Murry Bartow (1996-97 through 2001-02) |
| Valparaiso | Homer Drew (1988-89 through 2001-02) | Scott Drew (2002-03) |
| Valparaiso | Homer Drew (2003-04 through 2010-11) | Bryce Drew (2011-12 through 2015-16) |
| Washington State | Dick Bennett (2003-04 through 2005-06) | Tony Bennett (2006-07 through 2008-09) |
NOTE: Schools that had a father/son head-coaching tandem sandwiched around at least one mentor include Georgetown (John Thompson Jr. from 1972-73 to 1998-99 and John Thompson III from 2004-05 through 2016-17), Tulane (Claude Simons Sr. from 1920-21 through 1927-28 and 1930-31 and Claude Simons Jr. from 1938-39 through 1941-42), UNLV (Lon Kruger from 2004-05 through 2010-11 and Kevin Kruger since 2021-22) plus Wichita State (Gene Smithson from 1978-79 through 1985-86 and Randy Smithson from 1996-97 through 1999-00).