Sampson took over one of America’s most prestigious basketball schools Wednesday and quickly promised to keep Indiana’s tradition intact by doing three things: graduating players, running a clean program and winning titles.

“I came to Indiana for one reason: I think you can win championships at Indiana,” Sampson said. “I think together we can do some special things at Indiana University.”

With his wife Karen, daughter Lauren and son Kellen watching from the front row, a couple of hundred eager students burst into a chant of “Hoo, Hoo, Hoo-siers” on cue.

But even as Sampson signed a seven-year deal that pays an average of $1.5 million annually – what athletic director Rick Greenspan believes is the richest deal for a coach in school history – Sampson’s emotions covered a wide swath.

First, he thanked Oklahoma’s president, athletic director and fans for their support over the past 12 seasons.

Then he sent an optimistic message about returning the Hoosiers’ program to glory after going 19 seasons without a national championship. The students responded with their loudest applause of the day.

Finally, Sampson appeared conciliatory when the two issues that tarnished his reputation at Oklahoma – graduation and NCAA violations – were addressed. He leaves Oklahoma amid an NCAA investigation into more than 550 impermissible phone calls made to recruits by Sampson and his assistant coaches. Sooners officials are scheduled to appear before the NCAA infractions committee April 21.

Any sanctions against Sampson could follow him to Indiana.