Kurtis Townsend, who was hired Monday as an assistant men’s basketball coach on Bill Self’s staff at Kansas University, worked at California from 1993 to 1997 under two head coaches — Todd Bozeman, who was fired and sanctioned by the NCAA for rules violations, and Ben Braun, Bozeman’s successor.
Townsend never has been accused of NCAA wrongdoing.
“I’ve asked for and received letters from the athletic directors at Michigan and Cal indicating I never had anything to do with NCAA (violations),” Townsend said. “We were at Michigan after they recruited the Fab Five.
“What happened with Todd was very difficult. To see that happen to a colleague and friend made it more difficult for me. That happening in my first college job … I said I’d never do anything like that. It’s not worth it to me.
“You don’t have to do things — a scholarship is a reward in itself. My daughter has been awarded a track scholarship to Syracuse. I can tell you it’s a big deal to our family that she’s on scholarship.”
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Memories of fieldhouse: Townsend has been in Allen Fieldhouse for one game — Cal’s 73-56 loss to KU in the 1993 Preseason NIT.
“I remember there were 4,000 to 5,000 people there when we were shooting around several hours before the game. It was so loud,” Townsend said.
“Jason Kidd as a sophomore went behind the back a couple times and dished to Lamond Murray for a dunk. The play ended up winning an ESPY (ESPN award).”
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Recruitment of Giles: Townsend was instrumental in recruiting 6-foot-10 Seattle prep C.J. Giles to Miami last November.
Giles eventually asked out of his letter-of-intent after Miami coach Perry Clark and Townsend were replaced after the season. He committed to KU several weeks ago.
“I recruited C.J. hard at Miami. At the same time, he really liked Kansas before choosing Miami,” Townsend said. “When he knew we wouldn’t be back, he wanted out of his letter of intent. I told him that had to be done through the athletic director.
“He went to visit Kansas and really liked Kansas because of the players and coach Self. His dad played at Kansas and really likes Kansas. I didn’t recruit him (to KU). Bill, coach (Tim) Jankovich and the others did when he got his release.”
Of Giles, Townsend said: “I think he has potential to be really good. A lot of big guys come out of high school and go straight to the NBA. He’s interested in becoming as good a college player as he can be right now.”
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Miami struggles: The Miami experience didn’t turn out positive for Townsend. The Hurricanes went 14-16 in his only year at the Big East school.
“I was brought in to try to recruit players,” said Townsend, who left USC to help Clark turn around the Miami program. “We were told coach had four years left (on his contract). We didn’t have good enough players to compete in the Big East. I’ve been around long enough to know you need talented players to win in any league.”
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More changes brewing: There figure to be more changes in KU basketball in coming weeks. Director of basketball operations Ben Miller is believed to be leading candidate to fill an assistant’s vacancy on Barry Hinson’s staff at Southwest Missouri State. Danny Manning is the likely choice to take over Miller’s duties as director of basketball operations.
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Injury update: Self is hopeful Wayne Simien (groin) will be cleared to play basketball in the next two weeks and J.R. Giddens (knee, foot) in two to three weeks. Keith Langford (knee) is expected to be cleared July 1.
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Upcoming: Self will team with Tom Watson today in the Bayer Advantage celebrity skins game, set for 3 p.m. at The National in Parkville, Mo. Their opponent in a nine-hole match is the team of George Brett and Jay Sigel. … Self will be guest speaker at the KUAC Luncheon Series at noon, June 17, at the Holiday Inn Holidome. Advanced tickets for the event are $15 and walk-in tickets are available for $17. Individuals can RSVP to the luncheon by calling the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce (865-4411) or by e-mailing Lyndi Knoll at lknoll@lawrencechamber.com.
