Preferential Treatment: Sons of Famous Fathers Inherit Head Coaching Jobs
Don't believe this is what smug Michael Wilbon meant on ESPN's PTI with his "Pearl of wisdom" when talking about divisive. Nepotism or not, Auburn's Steven Pearl became the latest son to promptly succeed his father (Bruce) as head coach for a major university. Such a family handoff occurred twice at Valparaiso with Homer Drew (sons Scott and Bryce). The Pearl offspring received a five-year contract but 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)/Playing Career Summary Under Dad |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn | Bruce Pearl (2014-15 through 2024-25) | Steve Pearl (since 2025-26)/averaged 1.2 ppg and 1.1 rpg for Tennessee from 2007-08 through 2010-11 |
| Bellarmine | Scott Davenport (2005-06 through 2024-25; DI since 2020-21) | Doug Davenport (since 2025-26)/2010 graduate when school competed at small-college level |
| Davidson | Bob McKillop (1989-90 through 2021-22) | Matt McKillop (since 2022-23)/8.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 1.8 apg from 2002-03 through 2005-06 |
| DePaul | Ray Meyer (1942-43 through 1983-84) | Joey Meyer (1984-85 through 1996-97)/16.4 ppg and 2.9 rpg from 1968-69 through 1970-71 |
| 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 (portion of 2021-22 and 2022-23)/8.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 3.4 apg for Georgia from 1995-96 through 1998-99 |
| Oklahoma State | Eddie Sutton (1990-91 through 2005-06) | Sean Sutton (2005-06 through 2007-08)/3.9 ppg and 3.4 apg for Kentucky in 1987-88 and 1988-89 before 11 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.4 apg and 1.3 spg for OSU in 1990-91 and 1991-92 |
| Texas Tech | Bob Knight (2001-02 to 2007-08) | Pat Knight (2007-08 through 2010-11)/1.2 ppg and 1.2 apg for Indiana from 1990-91 through 1994-95 (redshirt in 1991-92) |
| UAB | Gene Bartow (1978-79 through 1995-96) | Murry Bartow (1996-97 through 2001-02)/1 ppg from 1980-81 through 1984-85 (redshirt in 1982-83) |
| 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)/17.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 5.2 apg and 1.5 spg from 1994-95 through 1997-98 |
| Washington State | Dick Bennett (2003-04 through 2005-06) | Tony Bennett (2006-07 through 2008-09)/19.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 5.1 apg and 1.4 spg for Wisconsin-Green Bay from 1988-89 through 1991-92 |
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).