Ra'Shaad Samples' path to becoming one of the brightest coaching stars in college football

From SMU to Oregon, with a flurry of stops in between, Ra'Shaad Samples reflects on his original inclusion in the 2020 30Under30, what he's up to now and what he learned from Sean McVay, Sonny Dykes and others.

By Chris Hummer Aug 6, 2024 at 10:10 am ET• 5 min read

Back in 2020, when the world was on lockdown, a then 25-year-old Ra'Shaad Samples wrote a note in his phone: I want to be one of the youngest head coaches in the country.

Samples had just been promoted to running backs coach at SMU, cementing his place as one of the youngest on-field coaches in the FBS. He appeared on the 247Sports 30Under30 list for the first time that year (on Tuesday, the 2024 edition of the 30Under30 nominees was released). 

Looking back at that period of his career, Samples, now the 29-year-old assistant head coach and running backs coach at Oregon, said that note remains his north star, a reminder to become uncomfortable.

"When you look at your goals and what you're trying to accomplish: Are you trying to be comfortable or are you trying to get out of your comfort zone?" Samples said.