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KU coach Bill Self talks with an official. The fifth-year KU coach left a nice situation in Illinois in 2003.
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2008 NCAA Tournament
Full video coverage of the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2008 NCAA Tournament
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Bill Self and Roy Williams in Monday's Final Four teleconference
People talk - and talk a lot - about Roy Williams leaving Kansas University for the University of North Carolina.
The fact of the matter is, Bill Self also left a pretty sweet situation at the University of Illinois to become KU basketball coach back in the spring of 2003.
"I certainly know, although Roy leaving here has garnered more national attention, me leaving Illinois was a big deal there," Self, the Jayhawks' fifth-year coach, said on Monday's national Final Four teleconference previewing Saturday's semifinal between Self's Jayhawks and Williams' Tar Heels.
That game is set for a 7:47 p.m. tipoff in San Antonio.
"It's an emotional time (in changing jobs). The thing about it is, you want the timing to be right on those sorts of things, but the timing's never right. And it was tough," Self added. "And watching that team perform at the level they performed at was not something that was unexpected.
"I expected that to happen," he said of the Illini players he recruited reaching the Sweet 16 his first year removed from the program and the national title game the following year.
"I really thought that that team had a chance to be special. It turned out five of those guys all played in the NBA. It was tough watching them play because I know I could have been a part of that. But it was also rewarding knowing you brought those guys in and that they've thrived in a new system and performed very well."
Of course, Self had a good run with some of the players Williams recruited, reaching the Elite Eight in 2004 at KU.
"I just kept telling myself, 'Hey we did it (move) for the long run and this is the long run,''' Self said. "We knew the first couple of years, following a guy that had as much success as Roy, they were going to be years that there would be comparisons. It'd be tough to live up to a guy that goes to back-to-back Final Fours and wins 80 percent of his games. But, certainly, I think we've gotten past that and are certainly enjoying our time here."
Self said he never had a problem coaching the players Williams signed.
"I felt like from Day One it was our team. I really did," Self said. "And I loved coaching the players who were here before. The challenge (was) getting everyone to buy into that this (system) was best for us. And although the kids, they tried, they did a good job with it and everything. But still they've heard two voices. And one voice was very, very successful.
"Subconsciously they could still hear those two voices. Whereas, when you recruit your own players and you get them in there and get a chance to coach them they've only heard one voice, so this is the way they think it should be done. I do think for any coach taking over, unless you're going to a situation that has really good players and they haven't been as good is a difficult transition."
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Self enthused: Self, who expressed relief after a narrow two-point Elite Eight win over Davidson on Sunday, had a different emotion on Monday.
"I'm really getting excited," Self said. "And I know our players (who had day off) will be, too. We need to rest today. But I'm really fired up to have the opportunity."
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Frederick's take: Former KU athletic director Bob Frederick, who hired Williams to replace Larry Brown at KU, won't be attending the Final Four.
Frederick, who as former NCAA Selection Committee chair has a prime seat reserved for him at all Final Fours, has responsibilities teaching sports marketing, sport law, sport facilities and sport administration classes at KU.
"I've got a lot of papers I have to grade," Frederick said.
Frederick, who remains a close friend of Williams, said he's rooting for KU to win the game.
"Clearly I care about him," Frederick said of Williams. "I figured today I have spent 38 of the last 50 years of my life either as student-athlete, grad assistant (basketball program), assistant (basketball coach), assistant athletic director, athletic director or faculty member at the University of Kansas. I'm for Kansas."
He said that, like everybody who lives in Lawrence, he knows individuals who have never forgiven Williams for leaving KU.
"I just don't understand that. I thought Bill (Self) had a good comment about that today (saying it was a backhanded compliment that people are upset at Williams because they didn't want him to leave).
"I told somebody that the guy (Williams) was so likeable and so a part of everything, that, for the people who were fans, he was like part of the family even though they might not know him personally. That's the way it was. He was such a likeable person, when he left, some people felt betrayed.
"There are a lot of similarities between them (Self and Williams) particularly on a likeability standpoint. They also both try to guard people and try to move the ball up and down the court and play a lot of people."
Frederick said he hasn't spoken with Williams this week.
He left the coach a message Saturday congratulating him on defeating Louisville and reaching the Final Four.
"It will be tough for him. It was tough for him in 1991 and '93 when we played Carolina in the Final Four in Indianapolis and New Orleans. The first time, we beat them and (UNC) coach (Dean) Smith got ejected from the game. I know he (Williams) didn't look forward to that game, but he was going to compete as hard as he could to win it. Given a choice, he'd rather not play the game."
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Self on the health of the team: "We worry about Sherron (Collins) day to day, because of his (bruised) knee situation," Self said. "But health-wise, knock on wood, we got past a little flu bug this past week and weekend. So I think that we'll be as close to whole as you can be this time of year. Everybody is nicked up, but I think we'll be fine."
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Praise for Davidson: Self left Detroit with a batch of respect for Davidson.
"I think Davidson is good. They played Carolina very, very well the first game (72-68 loss in Charlotte, N.C.). They had UCLA down, 32-14, in the first half out there before UCLA put it together and ended up winning by 10 or 12 (75-63 in Anaheim, Calif). They played Duke to a six-point game in Charlotte (79-73 loss)," Self said.
Of course, Davidson beat Gonzaga, Georgetown and Wisconsin in the NCAAs.
"So we knew they were good. But I think they've got even better as the season has gone on," Self said. "I'll be the first to tell you I don't think we played our best. I think offensively we were pretty stale. But that was because they did a really good job of taking us out of what we want to do and got us to standing as opposed to attacking. And that's a credit to them and of course a credit to their staff. Of course we played pretty good defense the last possession (on errant three-pointer by Jason Richards). We didn't like seeing it come down to the last possession but certainly liked the result."
Sherron Collins: One-on-One November 3, 2008
KU trumpets its triumphs with new I-70 turnpike signs July 2, 2008
Jayhawks up for ESPY honors July 1, 2008
Bill Self at the White House June 3, 2008
KU Jayhawks honored at the White House June 3, 2008
Comments
KUDAD (anonymous) says...
It strains credibility to think that a former AD is too busy "grading papers" to go see his school play in this game. He sounds like one of those guys in the other article.
April 1, 2008 at 6:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...
Bob Frederick is a teacher. He has obligations that he takes seriously. Sure KU would love to have him rooting them on, but it's a little refreshing to see a sign that college is about students who want to learn and not just about basketball and football.
I never met Bob Frederick but a good friend of mine has some of his classes and said he was a great teacher and a fantastic man. Next to Max there's not a big group of people who have been involved in the KU basketball family the way Bob Frederick has been.
April 1, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lawrencefan (anonymous) says...
KUDAD, time to pull your head out. Bob Frederick has demonstrated his commitment to KU's athletics department in more ways than you can ever dream of doing. He is now demonstrating that same level of commitment to his students. If you are indeed a father of a KU student and not some puffed up shallow fan, I would like to believe you have some degree of appreciation for that. Thank you Dr. Frederick, for all you have done for the University. You are one of the finest people I have ever had the privilege knowing.
April 1, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KU (anonymous) says...
Bob Frederick has it right. He's a KU guy. Those other guys in the other article are afraid to offend Williams because they know he has dadgum thin skin and he might take his gold clubs and go home if they announced they were for KU but they still liked Roy.
As for likeability? Self is a humble, down to earth, genuine guy. He is likeable.
Roy? He started out like Self, but over the years he became very arrogant and intolerant. At the end, we like that he won but I don't think we really liked the man.
April 1, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KUFAN08 (anonymous) says...
Yeah I can see where you may have read that comment differently, KUDAD, but plasticJHAWK is right. I had the pleasure to meet Mr. Frederick recently because he is contributing his time and effort to help out with a leukemia benefit for KU running back Brandon McAnderson's brother, Devin, and he is just so dedicated to not only the KU athletic world but also his students.
It's too bad he's not going to San Antonio because I don't doubt that he'd love to be there to support the Jayhawks and Roy.
April 1, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chuckberry32 (anonymous) says...
I think it's refreshing to see a teacher who actually puts those responsibilities first. Thats what college is supposed to be about! I say KUdos to Fredrick.
April 1, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FlaHawk (anonymous) says...
Fredricks bleeds KU blue and he is a symbol of what college athletics used to be all about.
Unfortunately, KU athletics has turned into a money grubbing machine to compete in the Big XII
I read the other day where the BIG XII leads all conferences in major NCAA violations (by a fair margin). Most of these were inherited from the SWC and this is the real story of college athletics today!
April 1, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mcrozb (anonymous) says...
Interesting commentary from Dr. Frederick. Always had a high opinion of him, but frankly, as an out of state '91 alum, I'm surprised he's still at KU. ........As I remember it, Dr. Fredericks removal from the AD position was the "last straw" that broke Roy's back and made him leave. The two were so close back then, I always felt that Roy was really indeed the AD by proxy ( in matters regarding basketball).
Gotta love our"self" and anyone who says they hate Roy is masking a deeper love and feeling of betrayal.
Rock Chalk !!
April 1, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wi_jayhawk (anonymous) says...
As a student who has Dr. Frederick this semester, I think he's a great person to teach those subjects. He still bleeds Crimson and Blue, and has a lot of experiences to share with his students. Why shouldn't he stay and contribute to KU?
April 1, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Strikewso (anonymous) says...
The kids just got back from spring break, Frederick doesn't have anything to grade. I wonder what the real reason is he's not going, but obviously it doesn't have to do with his classes.
April 1, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
toyss29 (anonymous) says...
I would like to think that the LJWorld would be on the ball and comment that Sean Sutton has resigned/fired from OSU.
April 1, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grantmvb (anonymous) says...
Everyone calm down. Bob Frederick isn't going to the Final Four. That doesn't make him a good or bad person.
April 1, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldboy (anonymous) says...
toyss29, I just heard that from another avid fan who is a graduae of KU. He is worried that Boone Pickens' deep pockets may sway Self in his love for KU.
I still think that not having a lot returning unless a couple of important people stay he won't even think strongly of making that change. It seems to me that most of the good will of Hawk fans has been used up with Roy. I wonder what would be the reception for Self if he were to be introduced next year in AFH as the head coach of OSU.
I will worry about this situation the day he resigns and I don't think it will be in my lifetime.
April 1, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jlbraves (anonymous) says...
Get ready for another distraction at the Final Four. Oklahoma State fired Sutton today. Coach Self will have to answer those questions all week. Hopefully it will not be a distraction. OSU should have had more class and wait until after the Final Four to announce this.
April 1, 2008 at 3 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...
I knew the tide would turn.
Comments Ive been reading everywhere from Kansas fans are mostly either of one or two varieties: those who are in the camp who say "forgiveness" of Roy is long overdue, and those who are not prepared to forgive but wish to move on.
There are a small minority of people who still want to stir the pot that are seething bile, but as Jesus said, "...the poor you will always have with you".
Go Hawks...Destroy UNC.
April 1, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jhwkfan162515 (anonymous) says...
It's understandable that Frederick considers his teaching responsibilities greater than making the trip to San Antonio. He has his priorities right.
So did Phog Allen, who gave a speech at Bushton (KS) High School the night Wilt Chamberlain dropped 52 on Northwestern. He said, "I will never attend KU games when going would interfere with what I consider to be for the greater good for all. I will go only when it is convenient."
So did the game's inventor and the first KU coach, James Naismith, when he told the 1914 NCAA convention that the ideal student-athlete is "primarily a gentleman, secondly a college man, and incidentally a basket ball player."
April 1, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )