It took awhile — nearly three days — but Kansas basketball coach Roy Williams finally was able to tell Ohio State athletic director Jim Jones he wasn’t interested in the Buckeyes’ post.
Williams issued a statement Sunday, saying: “I’d like it to be known that I will be staying at the University of Kansas. We have a great group of players and I’m looking forward to next season.”
Williams reported he first learned of Ohio State’s interest a week ago Sunday from a friend. He told that friend he planned to remain at KU. Regardless, Williams explained, Jones attempted to reach him, but because of one thing or another the two didn’t connect until Sunday morning.
In the meantime, the media continued to speculate that Williams wasn’t interested in OSU while wondering why the KU coach was unavailable to talk about it.
“It’s not that I was trying to dodge you guys or anything,” Williams said. “I just think it is the professional way to do it. I don’t want them to hear from the newspapers that I’m not interested … I think this is the professional way to do things, and that’s how I’m going to do it.”
Williams said the Ohio State inquiry is the third he’s received from a major school in recent months. He declined to reveal the other two.
“I made the statement when I was hired that I’m not going to be a guy who jumps around,” Williams said. “I do think a lot of this place and until it’s proven that I can’t get it done here, I’m happy here. I’m committed to the people of Kansas.
“Ohio State is one of the 10 best programs in the country, but I did not think it was right for me to talk to them at this time.”
Meanwhile, the Columbus Dispatch has reported that the leading candidates to replace Gary Williams, who went to Maryland, are Arkansas’ Nolan Richardson and former Tennessee coach Don DeVoe.
