Kansas coach Bill Self says stepping down never crossed his mind in wake of ongoing NCAA case

By Matt Tait     Feb 17, 2021
    •

article image
Kansas head coach Bill Self huddles up with his players during the second half on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 at Allen Fieldhouse.

For the third time this week, the NCAA’s case against the Kansas men’s basketball program was a hot a topic during an interview featuring KU coach Bill Self.

On Tuesday’s episode of the ESPN.com podcast “Courtside with Dakich and Greenberg,” Self was asked by Dan Dakich if he had ever thought about resigning as a result of the NCAA’s infractions case against the Kansas program.

“Hell no,” Self said emphatically. “That’s exactly the image and portrayal that’s been presented to people. I’m saying we haven’t done anything wrong. Why would I run from this? I mean, I’m not running from this at all.

“(Quitting has) not even (been) a thought process,” Self added. “Not one time. And I will not believe that or think that ever.”

That stance is nothing new, but rarely has Self been asked about stepping away. Self used the opportunity as an chance to reemphasize his commitment to KU.

“My resolve now is as strong now as it ever has been,” Self told Dakich and Seth Greenberg. “And I’m as excited about the future as I ever have been. We just have to get through this.”

Earlier in the week, on a podcast with Jeff Goodman and also during his regular weekly press conference, [Self discussed the ongoing NCAA case’s impact on recruiting.][1]

On Tuesday, he addressed the impact the entire process has had on him personally.

“My players have been great,” Self said. “This hasn’t affected my team at all. And it hasn’t affected my staff and it hasn’t affected me (and my) preparation. Now, has it affected my mind, as far as having a few things on my plate to think about instead of having relaxation and things like that? Sure it has. But that’s (par) for the course. We’ve had a pretty good run here for a long time. And if this is the biggest hiccup we’ve had, nobody wants to go through it, but we’ll get through it and be fine.”

Self joined [the podcast][2] at the 28-minute mark and began talking about the investigation at the 45-minute mark.

[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2021/feb/15/kansas-basketball-coach-bill-self-expecting-ncaa-c/?mens_basketball
[2]: https://www.espn.com/radio/play/_/id/30912607

PREV POST

Game day breakdown: No. 23 Kansas basketball at Kansas State
NEXT POST

55468Kansas coach Bill Self says stepping down never crossed his mind in wake of ongoing NCAA case
Author Photo

Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.