Thursday, February 21, 2008

Self on OSU: ‘It’s not going to happen’

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Bill Self on Thursday was again asked to address rumors that Oklahoma State will try to hire him if second-year Cowboy coach Sean Sutton is replaced at the end of this season.

Speaking at his weekly news conference, Self, Kansas University's fifth-year coach reiterated it's a "dead issue."

"It's not going to happen so to be honest with you, it is a disservice to everybody involved to call attention to it," Self said, asked if he pays attention to Internet message boards and blogs that insist OSU booster Boone Pickens wants Self to coach the Cowboys.

"The only thing I know about any of that," OSU grad Self said, "is that people (media) have requested to interview me about it and I haven't (done the interviews). I don't get on any blogs. I don't care what anybody says. I think it's an injustice to their present staff because they deserve every opportunity to do as well as they can possibly do.

"I don't think anybody in the know or anybody I personally know ... they know me and know what our situation is here. That hasn't been anything that has remotely come up with me. It's not worth talking about because it's a dead issue."

Collins knee injury update

Sherron Collins has not practiced yet this week as he continues to recover from a deep bruise on his right knee. Self said he hopes Collins, who had a workout in the pool on Thursday afternoon, will be able to play Saturday against Oklahoma State but "will not be 100 percent."

Comments

fabolous_bg (anonymous) says...

Now hopefully everyone will get off his back about this...

February 21, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ryanm1988 (anonymous) says...

I would be inclined to believe him, except too many coaches have spoken the same words. (including beloved Roy)

February 21, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

d_prowess (anonymous) says...

Is it too early to start wondering if Collins is going to be one of those great players that always has some type of nagging injury? I don't feel like he has been 100% at any point this season and this injury seems like something that will linger for a while.
However, it probably will mean the NBA discussion on him will not start up any time soon...

February 21, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAJayhawk (anonymous) says...

ryanm1988, if you're right, then we'll all deal with it. But until that point, Coach Self couldn't possibly be more clear on this subject, and he gives us NO reason not to trust his ridiculously clear response. The actions of some collegiate basketball coaches cannot be used to judge them as a collective group. That is just irresponsible and ignorant, and as Self says it "does a disservice to all those involved."

As crystal clear as his statements are, can everyone please just shut up about this subject now?!?!

February 21, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

Strange what's classified as "breaking news" these days. Also, don't recall hearing much about a deep bruise with Collins before today.

February 21, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

chuckberry32 (anonymous) says...

poor collins, every time he gets better he gets hurt again...maybe he should tone down his game and stop giving more than 100%

February 21, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bykcin (anonymous) says...

Sounds a lot like "I don't give a sh*t about North Carolina." Just more coach speak. We'll see in the offseason when Boone Pickens starts throwin cash around. Lew better get into that Gatorade money so we can keep Bill.

February 21, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rgreene (Ryan Greene) says...

okjhok,

Gary wrote about the knee bruise Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

February 21, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kc_wildfire (anonymous) says...

Hinrich and Gooden reunited!

February 21, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

aledell (anonymous) says...

To echo okjhok, NOT BREAKING NEWS. Bill Self has said this at least 10 times before.

February 21, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

tashe2 (anonymous) says...

Here we go again, we're going to lose our awesome coach to his alma mater. I hope Bill Self gets on here and reads everything people put about him and realize how much we love him. DONT GO BILL.

February 21, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkone (anonymous) says...

The difference here is Roy left one elite program for another. Bill Self is not going to take the equivalent to a demotion to go back to his alma mater. Lets be realistic.

February 21, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Shazam (anonymous) says...

I can't imagine how annoying it would be to be asked what you plan to do in the future when you're just trying to do your job now. Coach Self has a long career ahead of him, and you can't expect him to know how he's going to feel in the future. Even Roy passed on the NC job once because he wanted to stay at Kansas, only to have a change of heart later. Look at how quickly Dana Altman changed his mind. Coaches don't sign lifetime contracts for a reason. Until Boone Pickens actually puts the cash on the barrelhead, why bother worrying about this?

February 21, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

"Sounds a lot like 'I don't give a sh*t about North Carolina.'"

No, actually it doesn't sound like that. The specific quote, if I recall correctly, was, "Right now I could give a sh*t about North Carolina."

Aside from the poor grammar, the key words there are "RIGHT NOW"--i.e., after the most devastating loss of his career, when he was on his way into the locker room to console his players. That didn't say anything about whether he was still considering it. Of course if you go back to his statement three years earlier, that's a different story ...

February 21, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

"Dead issue" means nothing...it could mean it's a dead issue RIGHT NOW. If Self is saying what I hope he's saying, he should just issue the statement, "As long as it's up to me, I will not leave KU for OSU."

February 21, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

I think Bill Self is a great coach. I also don't think he is going anywhere in the near future. However, I feel that all Bill or any other coach owes us is to give us his best while he's under the employ of Kansas University.

I think it's unreasonable to expect that anyone will remain 100% content with where they are in life. It is the desire for something more or something else that drives us all to achieve something greater than what we already have achieved. While it is nice to find those perfect moments where everything is just right, things inevitably change.

I hope Bill stays for a long time, but to think that he shouldn't explore other options for our sake is what contracts are for. (Contracts get broken all the time, but that is another issue).

Ultimately, he will do what is in his own best interests as his life and his needs change over time. To think otherwise is unreasonable. That said, he seems pretty clear that OSU is not an option at this point. That's good enough for me.

February 21, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkandtigerfan (anonymous) says...

this is nothing like the roy situation or others. Roy had a couple situations involved that Bill does not. North Carolina is a LONG way from Kansas and Roy has a lot of family and friends in the area that wanted him close again. Bill is still VERY close to Oklahoma. Second, Roy left one elite program for another. North Carolina had only been run into the ground one year before Roy left. OSU quality of basketball has been declining for a long time. There's no strong reason he would want to leave Kansas for a mediocre to bad OSU organization right now. It would be a really uncomfortable move for him too, because he'd be in the same conference as the team he left. he's already had two jobs much bigger than the OSU job: Illinoid and Kansas. People do not step down the ladder. We all know Roy made a lateral move if it wasn't taking a step up the ladder, but Bill will NOT step down the ladder. I'd put a large sum of money on it. Bill will not leave for OSU until us sometimes cranky fans chase him out.

February 21, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

If we lose another coach to his alma mater, it only means one thing...our next coach WOULD HAVE TO BE an alum. Hmmmmmm...who would/could that be????

February 21, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ldaxon (anonymous) says...

The Oklahoma City daily newspaper had a sports commentary on this issue earlier in the week and their columnist said there is no way Slef would leave KU for OSU, even if he did play for OSU. The Oklahoma columnist said KU is one of the top 5 coaching jobs in the country and Self will stay at KU if he has any desire to win a national championship, which he surley does. The columnists said coachs tend to drift back to their alma maters at the end of their careers not when they are hungry for a title and coaching at such an elite program. Yes, Self has relatives in Oklahoma, but it is not like Kansas is far away. It is a 5 hr. drive from Lawrence to Edmond....As a KU grad married to an OSU alum, even my alum husband admits Self would be nuts to dump KU for OSU, no matter how much Pickens tries to $weeten the deal.

February 21, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Yes, such a move would be a step down...but, most likely, only a temporary one. OSU has shown, particularly in the relatively recent past, the ability to recruit some top-notch talent in b-ball. And with T. Boone, OSU facilities are quickly becoming second-to-none. Combine that with Coach Self's recruiting ability and I think within a reasonably short amount of time, OSU becomes highly competitive.

February 21, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUxSW (anonymous) says...

I don't think there's any way Bill's leaving, but those relying on "program prestige" as their argument for why it couldn't happen are putting too much blind faith in that. We're talking about a person's commitment to a program, not the prestige of said program.
Should he leave? Absolutely not.
Will he leave? Most definitely not.
Could he leave? Yeah.

February 21, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

Guess I wasn't paying very close attention over the weekend...

February 21, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Kirk (anonymous) says...

This ain't a Roy situation. It just ain't.

And if it IS? We get another coach.

But it ain't.

February 21, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

I dont know if any of the rest of you follow Big XII basketball outside of Kansas, but most of you know Nebraska beat Kansas State last night. If you saw the game you also know that Frank Martin benched Bill Walker after a technical foul he received in the second half.

What you DONT know, you will only hear right here because it will be reported nowhere else in the print media...

Sitting behind the bench, a Nebraska fan overheard Frank Martin getting on Bill Walker's case as he was coming to the sideline after he got T'd up. Bill Walker responded to his coach, "Shut the F@#$ up!" The commentators were puzzled on tv why Martin would sit Walker such a long time in a close game, but this is apparently the reason why.

How do I know this? Someone I know knew the person who was sitting behind the bench.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is where a mentality of classless behavior gets you in a program.

February 21, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JNgohawks (anonymous) says...

wow, and from the same guy who urinated on court! The guy has amazing game, but sounds like a big jerk. The KState game is going to be huge.

February 21, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ChicagoJHawk (anonymous) says...

Self is NOT leaving KU for OSU. Well said LAJayhawk, everyone needs to shut up about this subject! Like a lot of you have already said, Roy made a lateral move, from 1 prestigious college bball program to another. Self's situation is completely different, why would go from an elite program like Kansas to OSU?? Besides, if Boone's money can buy anything why go for Bill Self? Don't get me wrong, I like him a lot & am glad he's our coach but why not go for Coach K/Larry Brown/Bobby Knight/someone more experienced?

February 21, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

Haha. Very interesting, jross. And Walker was the one of KSU's two players who are worth a crap that I thought might be somewhat okay!

Of course, I won't be quoting this anytime soon, "An acquaintence of a friend of a person I know through message board said..." But I certainly don't doubt it for one second when they can flaunt themselves for hours after the KU game, then lose to shorthanded Mizzou two days later, and now Nebraska. Needless to say I'm sure the refs didn't help them for 40 minutes in those games.

KSU might be good someday, or they might not, but you'll never find me rooting for them either way.

February 21, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

With that kind of attitude, Walker's in the wrong place. He should be at Misuse.

"he's already had two jobs much bigger than the OSU job: Illinoid and Kansas." KU yes, Illinois no. Although OSU hasn't been as strong lately, it has a MUCH stronger history than Illinois. And even if you argued that Illinois is a stronger program at this point, you certainly can't say it has a MUCH greater tradition. Besides, as jayhawkinatl says, that tradition can change very quickly, especially with the combo of TBP's $$ and BS's recruiting ability. After all, how great was Illinois before Self got there?

A lot of people have made good points. Jayhawkinatl, you're right that Self could make a more definitive statement, but I don't begrudge him the desire to not talk about it unless it's relevant. I think KUxSW put it best: It's extremely unlikely but still possible.

February 21, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

BTW, when I say Walker should be at Misuse, I mean in the stands, of course--the very epitome of class.

February 21, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

Not to change the subject from the all-too entertaining wildcats...

Gooden going to Chicago, reunited with Hinrich. What's funny was it was a 3 team deal also involving Seattle, too! Would have been really something to see, all three guys from one KU recruiting class all on the same NBA team.

February 21, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

speedy (anonymous) says...

the people at ku have run off in one way or another ted owens,larry brown, and roy williams. so its to be expected to run off bill self. after all its tradition isn,t it???

February 21, 2008 at 7:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

lance1jhawk (anonymous) says...

This is a "Dead Issue" and we need to belive coach Self. He would never, never leave his team that he has worked so hard to recruit. Him going to OSU would be like Coach K going to coach Army. Come on people... let this issue die!

speedy- KU did not run off Ted Owens, he was summarily dismissed for sucking in the later part of his career. That dismissal brought us Larry Brown and a national championship.

February 21, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhwkfan162515 (anonymous) says...

Eddie Sutton wants to get back into coaching. That much is certain given he went out to San Francisco. I betcha his son gets axed and Eddie gets invited back for a second chance with the Pokes. Handing Sean Sutton control of the OSU program was like giving the keys to your car to your irresponsible teenage daughter.

February 21, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhwkfan162515 (anonymous) says...

By the way, jross, I'm impressed by your "connections".

February 21, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

OSU ISSUE: A "dead issue" implies it was once alive.

KSU ISSUE: Something seems to have happened to KSU between the time we played them and now. Its going to be interesting to see what it is.

February 21, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhawk7782 (anonymous) says...

He's staying. Coach Self is tired of rumors that he won't stay with a program.

As to Eddie replacing his son at Oklahoma State, it would never happen.

February 21, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

PaulDMeyer (anonymous) says...

I hear Sampson might be returning to his alma mater too.

February 21, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

OSU Rumor Mill:

Sean will be fired and his brother at ORU will be hired.
Sean and Eddie will become his assistants.
Billy Gillispie, soon to be ex UK coach will assist also.

Bob Knight Rumor Mill:

Knight underwent sex change and now goes by Roberta Knight. He will replace Pat Summit at Tennessee.

A Minority Report type private contractor police force in Tennessee has arrested him for the physical and psychological abuse he will heap on the Lady Vols.

KSU Rumor Mill:

Frank Martin's barber has been indicted for wreckless endangerment with hair clippers.

CU and NU Rumor Mills:

Both teams have been arraigned by a grand jury for impersonating basketball teams.

February 21, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fabio (anonymous) says...

Im not worried about it. If Bill leaves we can always get Mark Turgoen.

February 21, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAJayhawk (anonymous) says...

A side point:

Frank Martin might have the worst suits in all of college basketball. He looks like an undertaker.... of course after this year, KState will go back to being a dead program.........

February 21, 2008 at 11:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

smitty33 (anonymous) says...

Thanks for the info jross.. I too follow all of Big 12 Bball. Although a die hard Jhawk fan, I generally try to find other teams to pull for in our league. I thought Walker was just being benched for 'taking a swing' at Marik... guess not. What an idiot thug. Go to the NBA now. I gave KSU a lot of respect beating us (despite their help from the refs and insane 3's). However, now I'm gonna have a hard time rooting for them in the tourney. They have no consept of consistency. Nebraska???!!! They SUCK!

I also like and root for Baylor. Their fans are due. Their team plays with heart, too. I hope they make it past the bubble.

February 21, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BoulderHawk (anonymous) says...

Now that was a great post jaybate!

February 21, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

smitty33...glad to offer info when I have it. Im not a sports journalist, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

boulderhawk...I agree. Jaybates post was an instant classic.

February 21, 2008 at 11:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kansaspike (anonymous) says...

Worst case: LARRY BROWN makes a 4-5 year run at the helm, then finally retires.
...either way we're good.

February 22, 2008 at 12:34 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

Question:

If Memphis loses to Tennessee, how far would they fall considering:

1. They would have lost to the number 2 rated team in the nation.

2. Every other team in Division I basketball has at least 2 losses.

February 22, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

didjabuti (anonymous) says...

If Memphis loses, they drop to #2. What I'm not sure about is where UT would drop to.

February 22, 2008 at 4:13 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

yates33333 (anonymous) says...

NU beat K-State and not by impersonation but by playing harder. Hopefully the Jayhawks will do the same in Lawrence.

Self is a great coach. He needs to say that under no circumstances will I leave KU for OSU. Of course, perhaps there are circumstances.

February 22, 2008 at 6:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

Yeah, I watched a good bit of the NU/KSU game and it seemed like both Walker and Beasley are flat-out whiney bee-otches!!!! Beasley had his share of run-ins with Martin, including a tantrum behind the bench.

February 22, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jacqueshock (anonymous) says...

I just don't see Self leaving for his alma mater. This isn't like the Les Miles to Michigan rumors. Miles played at Michigan AND Michigan is a powerhouse program like LSU. It would not be a step-down career move. Miles decided to stay.

Put into a similar situation in 2003, Roy decided to go to his alma mater, which is a powerhouse program. Self going to Oklahoma State would be like Roy going to NC State.

February 22, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KGphoto (anonymous) says...

Let's see. I could coach the Kansas Jayhawks in the town that cradled basketball, with a court named after the inventor of the game. Or I could go to Okie State and get my ass kicked every year with a vengeance.

I believe him.

February 22, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

worse...cause he'd be at a school IN CONFERENCE, and he'd catch all kinds of hell!

February 22, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

my last comment was directed @ jacqueshock

February 22, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUbsee69 (anonymous) says...

This just is not going to die. The media loves to stir controversy, and will continue to do so.

After Coach Williams declined UNC's first offer, saying that he hoped everyone would finally drop the issue, the media just continued to speculate that it would one day happen.

If the media tells everyone that something is going to happen, then it often finally happens just to quiet the media. Even the principals of the discussion start to believe it. Just look what happens everytime the media says that it looks like oil and gas prices are going to go up. Immediately, all the gas stations take the media statements and turn them into permission to raise their prices, whether justified or not. They don't wait for their wholesaler to raise their actual cost for the gas, they just go ahead and do it. They seem to think that since the media said it would happen, the consumer expects it and won't put up too much fuss.

Let's just hope Coach Self really doesn't pay any attention to the media (or blogs) like he states above.

February 22, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jhawkerman (anonymous) says...

Write this down .... Bill Self is NOT leaving Kansas for OSU ... Period ..

February 22, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

soobawls (anonymous) says...

Im sure Bill would bolt if given the oppurtunity and enough cash. He is the same as any other coach, give them enough money or control and they are OUT. The question is, does OSU really want him?

February 22, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

BCRavenJHawkfan (anonymous) says...

First, I am not foolish enough to make a statement regarding Self going to OSU, there is no way to acurately predict it.
What I do think is getting over looked are things other than the comparison of the programs, or that other coaches have left, or he will not just say no way will he ever....
Truth is there are many, many factors. Some have been mentioned already. There are others.
1. With Boone Pickens it goes beyond the ca$h OSU can put on the table to entice. With T Bone it is the control. The man is cut from the same cloth as Jerry Jones and Al Davis. These guys would sell their own mothers if it got them what they wanted. I also think Pickens looks at Self as one of the enemies, and being the type of person Pickens is he knows it is often advantageous to "sleep with the enemy you know rather than sleep with the friend you don't know". The proof is right here in the Texas panhandle where Pickens has decided to treat ground water like oil rights, and exploit friends and family in order to pipe aquafor water down to south Texas.
2. Bill Self has a boss. Right now I have to assume that relationship is a good one. Just like your job or my job, everyone takes into consideration who you work for. I know for me there are other employers than Texas Tech which may be attractive, but my boss is not unrealistic, has reasonable expectations and this is the biggy, does not micro manage. In this regard Bill Self is just like the rest of us. So, as I said I assume the relationship with the AD is good. But what if that changed?
3. Is Bill Self a hunter or a gatherer? There are coaches that are builders, they live to build a program and go to the next one. It is a challenge they relish. Some are legacy driven and the challenge is to compete at a consistantly high level.

So, I recognize that there are many factors and one persons priority is not anothers.

February 22, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

okiedave (anonymous) says...

What do you mean people do not leave a great organization for a middle of the road organization. CEO's do it all the time. They build an organization and want-to-be companies come and ask the CEO to be their CEO for 100 quadzilla dollars more. Yea, they go because they like building - not maintaining. The money sure helps the decision.

Be realistic - would any of you change your allegiance to K.U. if O.S.U offered you a $5m sign on bonus and $2m/yr. to write good things about OSU and bad things about K.U.????

February 22, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUbsee69 (anonymous) says...

Unfortunately, everybody has a price. Again, I hope Coach Self's price is way too high.

But, remember the old joke ... Guy in a bar to an attractive young thing:

"Would you sleep with me for $10?"

Girl replies "No, are you crazy?"

Guy counters "How about for $1,000,000?"

Girl exclaims "SURE"

Guy says "Ok, we've established what you are, now we just need to negotiate a real price".

Do you suppose any coach would turn down $10M / yr? Anywhere? Money buys a lot of allegiance.

February 22, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )