Ask Bill Self about another member of the athletic department, and out pops a perfect teammate answer. Self’s words about new football coach David Beaty had to make Beaty feel as welcome as the big hug associate head coach/defensive coordinator Clint Bowen pinned on his old friend/new boss before Beaty took the court to speak to the Allen Fieldhouse crowd at halftime of the basketball game Friday against Florida.
“Really happy for him and happy for Clint,” Self said after a 71-65 comeback victory. “I hope it’s going to be a great marriage for KU and for the staff.”
Self said he knew Beaty, but not well, from his two stays on the Kansas football staff for Mark Mangino for two years and Turner Gill for one.
“Obviously, an exciting hire,” Self said. “I spoke with him yesterday, last night, late, and he was excited. I thought I was excited when I took the job here, and he blew me away with how excited he was. I’m going to come see his press conference on Monday, just so maybe some of that juice (will) rub off on me.”
Self talked with Beaty long enough to hear about some of his plans.
“He’s fired up about staff possibilities and everything else going on,” Self said. “Congratulations to our department and to our administration for hiring him. More importantly, I think it’ll be a good fit. I really do. We need to have some guys with some juice and some energy, and I think he’ll hire a staff that’s got that. I think it’s really good for us.”