Sam Houston's basketball program dates to 1919, and the Huntsville, Texas school recently moved to Conference USA after years in the Southland Conference. The Bearkats have been competitive across multiple conferences.
The Bearkats name (intentionally misspelled with a K) was adopted in the early 1900s, representing a fierce, hybrid creature — part bear, part wildcat.
Making the transition to the FBS level and Conference USA in 2023, elevating the entire athletics program including basketball.
Sam Houston State is named after Sam Houston, president of the Republic of Texas and governor of two different U.S. states (Tennessee and Texas) — the only person to hold that distinction.
The Sam Houston Bearkats compete in the CUSA and hold an all-time record of 651–557 (.539 winning percentage) across 42 recorded seasons dating back to 1984-85.
| Season | Record | Conference | Coach | AP peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 22-11 | 13-7 (CUSA) | Chris Mudge | |
| 2024-25 | 13-19 | 6-12 (CUSA) | Chris Mudge | |
| 2023-24 | 21-12 | 13-3 (CUSA) | Chris Mudge | |
| 2022-23 | 26-8 | 14-4 (WAC) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2021-22 | 19-14 | 13-5 (WAC) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2020-21 | 19-9 | 13-3 (Southland) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2019-20 | 18-13 | 11-9 (Southland) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2018-19 | 21-12 | 16-2 (Southland) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2017-18 | 21-15 | 12-6 (Southland) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2016-17 | 21-13 | 10-8 (Southland) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2015-16 | 18-16 | 12-6 (Southland) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2014-15 | 26-9 | 15-3 (Southland) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2013-14 | 24-11 | 13-5 (Southland) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2012-13 | 17-17 | 8-10 (Southland) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2011-12 | 13-19 | 7-9 (Southland) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2010-11 | 18-13 | 10-6 (Southland) | Jason Hooten | |
| 2009-10 | 25-8 | 14-2 (Southland) | Bob Marlin | |
| 2008-09 | 18-12 | 12-4 (Southland) | Bob Marlin | |
| 2007-08 | 23-8 | 10-6 (Southland) | Bob Marlin | |
| 2006-07 | 21-10 | 13-3 (Southland) | Bob Marlin | |
| 2005-06 | 22-9 | 11-5 (Southland) | Bob Marlin | |
| 2004-05 | 18-12 | 11-5 (Southland) | Bob Marlin | |
| 2003-04 | 13-15 | 8-8 (Southland) | Bob Marlin | |
| 2002-03 | 23-7 | 17-3 (Southland) | Bob Marlin | |
| 2001-02 | 14-14 | 9-11 (Southland) | Bob Marlin | |
| 2000-01 | 16-13 | 11-9 (Southland) | Bob Marlin | |
| 1999-00 | 22-7 | 15-3 (Southland) | Bob Marlin | |
| 1998-99 | 10-16 | 7-11 (Southland) | Bob Marlin | |
| 1997-98 | 9-17 | 7-9 (Southland) | Jerry Hopkins | |
| 1996-97 | 8-18 | 7-9 (Southland) | Jerry Hopkins | |
| 1995-96 | 11-16 | 9-9 (Southland) | Jerry Hopkins | |
| 1994-95 | 7-19 | 4-14 (Southland) | Jerry Hopkins | |
| 1993-94 | 7-20 | 7-11 (Southland) | Jerry Hopkins | |
| 1992-93 | 6-19 | 4-14 (Southland) | Jerry Hopkins | |
| 1991-92 | 2-25 | 1-17 (Southland) | Jerry Hopkins | |
| 1990-91 | 7-20 | 5-9 (Southland) | Larry Brown | |
| 1989-90 | 10-18 | 8-6 (Southland) | Larry Brown | |
| 1988-89 | 12-16 | 8-6 (Southland) | Gary Moss,Jeff Dittman | |
| 1987-88 | 14-14 | 9-5 (Southland) | Gary Moss | |
| 1986-87 | 16-12 | 6-4 (GSC) | Steve Tucker | |
| 1985-86 | 27-6 | GSC | Robert McPherson | |
| 1984-85 | 16-12 | GSC | Robert McPherson |
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| Rank | Team | Conference | All-Time Wins |
|---|
Top 100 by all-time D1 wins. Verified against the NCAA record book — and tiered so you can argue properly.
| # | COACH | RECORD | WIN % | SCHOOL(S) | YEARS | BEST SEASON / LEGACY |
|---|