SAN ANTONIO — Roughly 90 minutes after winning the national championship Monday night, Kansas basketball coach Bill Self reiterated his previous suggestion that Oklahoma State look elsewhere for its next coach.
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However, Self said he would listen if OSU officials showed an interest.
"If somebody from OSU calls me, I'm gonna take the call," Self said early Tuesday morning inside the Alamodome. "That's my alma mater. I know people down there. But they haven't contacted me.
"I've said this last week, I would recommend they go in a different direction. I still feel that. I'm not going to say that couldn’t potentially happen because I guess it potentially can."
Self said his next step will be to have contract discussions with KU athletic director Lew Perkins.
"I want to visit with my athletic director," Self said. "To be real honest with you, I love Kansas. I love my job here and hopefully it will be a situation where I can spend a long time here. I'm certainly not looking to leave, but Lew and I got to visit. I'm sure that'll happen in the next couple days."
Asked if he could say for sure he would be back at KU, Self said, "You need to talk to Lew Perkins probably more than me on that."
Standing outside in the hallway, Perkins refused comment on the situation.
"If this is about his contract, we're not going to talk about that," Perkins said to a handful of reporters. "Please don’t take away a great night. We're not going to talk about this."
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Boone didn't get him fired...Sean got himself fired.
ST, OKC, You are right, you don't need a booster seat. You need some glasses. Didn't you read what I wrote. I know they are at every univeristy, but this article has to do with OSU. You name one other university that has Boone Pickens buying out coaches? Don't get mad or make it seem like somebody is picking on your OSU. If Boone didn't get him fired, then we wouldn't even be having this conversation.
Once again a simple article about Oklahoma State brings out the worst in the OU bandwagon. When you guys (OU) needed a coach, I myself, being an OSU grad, just kept on reading the market reports and the OSU sports section. I am not interested in OU, so I don't waste my time reading and worrying about OU. I sure don't waste any energy trashing your school. OU fans seem insecure about OSU, even in times of relative success for OU. Why don't you OU fans spend your energy supporting your school? I guess it is because a lot of OU fans didn't go to school at OU. A lot of OU bandwagon fans couldn't find Norman on a map. --- I am proud to be a Cowboy because of the great education I received and the great education my daughter is presently receiving at OSU. My son will get his chance shortly. Some of you OU fans who constantly trash MY school worry me. OSU would be out of their mind if they didn't offer Bill Self a chance to "come home"! If he chooses not to come home, we will look elsewhere and find a great coach. How simple is that for you Sooner pony pushers?
Geez Barry, I hope OSU gets its basketball coach and if it's Self, fine and dandy. If it's not, it's not but most OU fans could care less if he comes back to OSU or not.
But this nonsense about OU losing its "umpteenth" big bowl game? Here's the facts. First, OU has played in 27 major bowl games (fyi, that's a lot) and has won 17 times. Not too bad...63% winning percentage.
Second, OSU hasn't been to a major bowl game since the troops returned from Germany and Japan.
Mark, I guess we took the title from you then because that is what the NATIONAL media was saying about the OU football team after their umpteenth loss in a big bowl game. Never should have been there.
You country folk are pathetic. How embarrased are you going to be when one of your own turns you down. An alum turning you down is one thing, when he turns you down despite your offering him all the money in the world to come home is just flat out pathetic. OSU, the new laughing stock of college sports. This is funny stuff!
Keno Davis anyone? He wouldn't drain the bank and would probably stick around for a long time. I don't think Gillespie would be a good choice. If Self doesn't come, go after Pitt's coach. If that doesn't work, call Davis. I thought Self already had his bags packed but all this "I just want security" talk makes me think he's only using OSU to get a fat raise and guaranteed long stay in Lawrence. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
Rohde needs to stick to writing and rooting for his beloved team - OU. OU fans need to stick to commenting on stories about their beloved school.... - wait most of you have never seen OU's campus,.... I mean their favorite state football team.
Speaking of tools...that's what Self is doing to OSU…turning you guys like a wrench. He's going to get paid by KU and the OSU faithful (whiners) are going to lament and gnash teeth over who Holder will be left with to hire. And you can dream a little dream over Gillespie as well. If you think for one moment he's going to leave a recruiting station like Kentucky for Stillwater then you're delusional. Gillespie won’t be thrilled about being a well publicized second choice as well (yet another Holder debacle). Gillespie is going to use OSU the same way Self is and he’s going to get a contract instead of a MOA and he won’t be leaving the Blue Grass state.
Bitter Dean from Ill. asks "Also, why can't he make OSU as tradition rich as KU?" Unless Bill can dig up Naismith and rebury him in Stillwater, or rewrite the history books by putting Adolph Rupp, Dean Smith, Wilt and Manning in black and gold, he can't "make OSU as tradition rich as KU." HAHA. What a tool.
Not to take away the fact that KU won the national title or that OSU has ressurected their program, I remember days in Norman in the 80's that we smoked these teams. Of course, since then , we have been smoked by both teams. We still own the all time win record against OSU. I love this feedback column.
There is precedence here. Those KU fans that say he won't leave a top program need to talk to some alums at Illinois. Bill said the Illini was his last team. Look out. I can see him leaving for OSU if he is as loyal to family and friends as others here say he is. Also, why can't he make OSU as tradition rich as KU? The guy can recruit like crazy. He stole a couple of players right out from Weber's nose in Chicago. I hope he goes home to OSU regardless of the money. I'm tired of seeing the same teams in the Final Four all of the time.
Hey, Doug from Fort Collins. This is too small a town to have too many people from KU named Doug. If you are still around on the board, answer me this....Does Borgess or the name Gary Wilson mean anything to you? If so, we need to get together for lunch. Been too long my friend.
J - Yea they "was giving him a raise", so he wouldn't leave. No I don't need a booster seat. I am just fine thank you. The ethics suck at OU as much as they do anywhere else, if not more, so don't point fingers if you don't want them pointed right back.
ST from OKC. I know how they got the money for Capel and all other improvements that they need. They use the same method at schools, colleges and universities. I think my comment was about the ethics of boosters. I didn't say he was the only one or do I believe this is the only place that it happens. Now if you need a booster seat to sit at the table so you can understand what I am saying, let me know. Now at OU, they wasn't buying him out, they are giving him a raise. Don't get it twisted!
Its funny how the OU fans calls OSU loosers, and speak bad about OSU basketball. Then call Bill Self "smart". Don't forget Bill Self is a product of OSU. As is Eddie Sutton, Sean Sutton, Henry Iba. I believe that Self would come to OSU because he don't owe KU anything. He won the crown, just as he was hired to do. Now its time for Bill to do something for himself and his family. With that said, COME HOME BILL!
Arron, you truly are an idiot. Where are the Graham brothers? How about in the NBA? Joey plays for the Raptors. How about Tony Allen from '04 now playing with the Celtics? Reading the non-sensical prattle you spout makes the people who read it more stupid for having done so. By the way, regardless of whether OSU gets Self or not, they are STILL going to get a huge name/talent coach. Your prediction of "7th and falling fast" is about to be flushed down the same toilet you scrub in your every day profession.
KU will be alright if Self leaves, they have an assistant on the bench now who would love to take over a championship team, Danny Manning would be their "Alum" coach.
Forgot about 2004, the Graham Bros., must have been a fluke, none of them are around now. You are the seventh best program in the Big 12--and falling fast.
Hey Jake, how about Nolan Richardson. If T-Bone is going to throw money around--get Scott. An uninteresting hire will not bring in the caliber recruits needed to cease this downward spiral. What about Larry Legend? You are in the news a lot now, and the new hire should keep you there. Better do something soon or next year will be lost.
Jacob-If Self doesn't come, Dixon would be my second choice as well. I've always thought Tim Floyd was a little overrated, but I guess he'd be OK. I know Tony Bennett turned IU down, but I think he would be great.
As a season ticket holder at OSU, attendance was down this year and that was a sad thing to experience. Sean had some good wins and some close losses. Take a look at several fo the games, the season could have easily been much different with maybe a 3 pointer or two or a couple free throws to get some more wins. Games were close!! Perhaps Sean didn't deserve to be canned and given another year, but he lacked a certain charisma that clearly Self portrays. It's a character that we all feel is truer representation of a cowboy that belongs with an Oklahoma team. Just a few years back, the Gallagher-Iba arena was packed and rockin' loud. We miss those days and takes a leader to bring them back! Perhaps a coach such as self could restore our once ROWDIEST ARENA IN THE COUNTRY! Wins are great, but much of the time it's about the tradition, the experience, the history, the legacy, the character of the coach, the fans, and the university.
Show me the money .... is a big reason why a big time coach would leave a big time organization like ku for a lowly program like the cowboys . But what other possible pulls would there be to tug self's heart back to O-STATE. let's start with way back in dec. of 62 when little bill was born in lowly okmugee,ok . yes he is a native oklahoman and celebrated our centennial here with family and friends. Moving to Edmond Bill played and became star basketball player at Edmond High School(where he still sneaks in to watch his niece play when he can )Now of the 45 yrs Mr.Self has roamed this earth 34 of them have been here in Oklahoma where not only his, but his wife cindy's also, closest and dearest relatives and friends reside. Bill is a people person, and family means more than money. So I guess when it all comes down to it...being the (soon to be )highest paid coach in the land is really just icing on the cake .
I think that since Self won last night he'll go to Stillwater. One of the joys of coaching is taking a program that's a little down and building it into a perrennial power. I know KU can match whatever OSU offers but we'll just have to see where Bill's heart is on this one. I wouldn't mind seeing him in Stillwater as long as he promises to let my boys (Sooners) win in Norman. haha!
Carson-If I misconstrued your meaning, I apologize. But, I still do not understand why OSU is being singled out for playing the same games that everybody else plays. The very same thing happened last year during the Final Four when Kentucky was courting Billy Donovan while they were playing for the National Championship. I don't know why you make such an issue about the "coming home" angle. Again, the same thing was going on at KU when they were playing in the Final Four and UNC was trying to get Roy to "come home". Was UNC leaking that then? As for who is more responsible for the Self-to-OSU stuff, who knows? The Final Four is a media frenzy anyway. It doesn't take much to get them going. I guess my point is, while I agree that college athletics can be sleazy, it is what it is. With the influence of Pickens' donations, OSU has an opportunity to level the playing field. If they sit back and play nice and wait for everybody else to do the same, all Pickens' money will have been wasted.
J Broken Arrow - Just remember if they "Put a stop to boosters and their ethics," that goes for the hallowed halls of OU too. Who do you think ponied up the money for Capel's raise and contract extension?
Its gonna take a LOT of $$$ to make him move to OSU from a national powerhouse like Kansas. KU is a top 5 program in basketball. Compare them to a USC or OU in football. OkState is a good basketball school, but nowhere near that of KU. In the end I think it will come down to cash.
R, very valid point. But, as the old baseball adage goes, it just takes one. You can't equate prospective population growth with future alumni donations and leave it at that.
Carson, actually, it is called demography. Very simple situation. Major League baseball has seen it for several years. Those in large money markets (Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees) usually win. Appears college athletics is going the same direction. Texas has grown exponentially over the last thirty years. (Reason everyone in the Big 12 fears the financial power of Texas and A&M.) Population projections for the state of Oklahoma are very good. Twenty plus years, three population centers over 1M-i.e. Tulsa, OKC and southern counties of Oklahoma. (Southern counties will be the wealthiest.) State of Kansas isn't growing to any great degree. Major market is KC, which it has to share with Mizzou. Right now, sure, it is Mr. Pickens' donations. But with the projections, you figure out the future of the Big 12 North in the Conference.
I would not have any problem about OSU hiring Self but I don't like and hope the NCAA puts a stop to boosters and there ethics. I don't think it is fair for a booster to use his money to force a school do do what they probably don't want to do, just for some money. Boone Pickens need to stick to raising the price of gasoline and stay out of Athletics.
Carson-I guess you have a direct line to the Sports Information Director at OSU so that you can so confidently state that they are "deluging the media and leaking contract possibilities". The numbers that have been coming out originated from Dave Sittler of the Tulsa World. What makes you think OSU would leak anything to an OU hack like Sittler? I'm not saying two wrongs make a right. All I'm saying is that now that OSU has the financial means, why shouldn't they play the same game that everybody else has been playing for years? Grow up Carson. I'm not saying it's right, but it's the way college athletics work and if you want to compete, you have to try and stay ahead of everybody else. Probably half the schools in Division I have out-spent OSU for years. Why shouldn't they now out-spend the same schools that have always out-spent them in order to be competitive?
"The Cowboys picked a funny way of showing Self they love him. They forced out Sean Sutton the very week Self was trying to win a national title, putting him in a very awkward position. Why Oklahoma State didn't wait until the day after the championship game to edge out Sutton, I have no idea. The school has succeeded in making itself an annoying subplot for Self to deal with (ESPN, 2008)."
Patrick, several key words: 1)"Alamo Bowl" 2)"approached Self" versus deluging the media and leaking contract possibilities (as bad or worse) and 3) "other side" --so does that make it right? Two wrongs, yada yada...
Carson-This kind of thing has happened in college sports since the beginning of time. Now that OSU has the means to go after a successful coach during a championship run, all the sudden it's "classless". OSU has not, repeat HAS NOT approached Self and has said they won't until after all the Final Four business is over with. OSU has been on the other side of this issue many times. Most recently when LSU was actually negotiating with Les Miles WHILE he was supposed to be preapring OSU to play in the Alamo Bowl.
"D" While I do respect your KU Grad/Fan opinion I think you are being a little over dramatic when throwing out the "classless" term. That right there was disrespectful and "classless" yourself. ITS HIS ALMA MATER! Just like Roy Williams left the almightly top program of Kansas to go to a struggling NC team. Because? can you tell me? It was his Alma Mater. OSU has consistantly been in the top tier of, in my opinion, the toughest conference in college basketball. Oh by the way that inferior team you speak of handed Self a loss in Stillwater, so for you to say he cant do at OSU what he did for KU is ludacris. Also your not going to repect the school now for what? Going after an alumni and great coach? I feel for you, the thought of losing another KU coach to an alma mater is very nerve wrenching. I too would feel betrayed and dismayed. My thought to you is to find a KU alum that is a great coach and hire him, maybe he will stay this time. By the way Kansas has been a Top 3 job the past 2 seansons but top 30 for a while now. Food for thought
Doug from Ft. Collins-Classless? Nobody has has said Self "owes" OSU anything. Who the heck wouldn't want Bill Self as their coach, alum or not? Schools go after successful coaches every year. Was it classless when KU hired Self away from Illinois after the success he had there? KU is a big-time program, so you have to expect other schools are going to raid your coaches. So, OSU has the funds and the allure of being his alma mater. KU has the allure of being the more traditionally succesful program. If the KU administration doesn't step and keep him, go whine to them, not us.
I agree Doug. It is classless to push this matter during the final four, especially to leak actual figures before the final game. College sports is big business now, which means self interest rules the day. But I hope this becomes a low water mark for other schools to view and take a more honorable route.
First off, I am a KU grad/fan. Second, I have always respected OSU for being able to be as successful as they are despite having hurrdles to clear...OU, location, size, budget, Big 12 South....but for pulling the "come home Bill" business at his most shining moment is classless. Things like this don't just 'slip' out. I now feel OSU is no better than schools like Carolina or Texas in terms of feeling like they are owed something by somebody.
I do hope OSU gets a good coach. Good for the Big 12, good for my OSU buddies and good for a school I used to respect a great deal, but now will root for as much as I do Missouri.
Self will stay at KU. He will not take an inferior job even if he had to drive to work in an armoured car. He will get a big pay day from KU, that he would be getting regardless. He will be booed mercilessly when he comes back home for the OSU game every other year, but for no fault of his own.
A top 3 coach deserves a top 3 job...not a top 30.
Otis, why don't you send the Gaylords a friendly email w/ your suggestion? You know, the same ones who own this paper and are the biggest donors at OU, making this paper the official state OU paper.
"R," I appreciate your effort in trying to intellectualize the matter. I'm sure your rationale is exactly what Bill Self is thinking. To quote the youngsters "Whatever!" He is a Poke at heart and, like most people, likes money. I don't know that extrapolating the wealth accumulation of the two areas is as central as T.Boone and lil' Bill, as a toddler, idolizing Pistol Pete. How about addressing recruiting, to KU vs. OSU, instead of psuedo-science.
As an OU fan, I admit that I like to see things stay competitive on the court between schools. I really think Lil' Sutton was a mistake and they were right to get rid of him. But Self going to OSU would be a big step down professionally. You'd think that there would be more pressure at Kansas but I don't believe that. If Pickens pays an insane amount of money for him, Self will be under the microscope. It's also easier to get top talent at Kansas. I do hope they get a good coach though.
Otis, your point is somewhat valid, except this is the culture of college athletics. OSU isn't the first definately won't be the last to use donor money to improve their program. The fact of the matter is by the end of this, Boone will spend a billion dollars on OSU. There isn't a school out there who wouldn't love to be in the same position OSU is in.
I love how just a week ago OU fans were saying "OSU will never get Self. They are dreaming if they think they will" and now that those ignorant predictions are sinking fast, they are coming up with any other ridiculous slander as to why he is coming. Let it go OU fans. Focus on your own school for a change.
why doesn't t. boone just buy a professional team and leave college athletics alone. money is killing college sports, at all big schools, in basketball and football. really, a college coach making 4 mil a year or coaches wearing corporate logos cheapens the deal. (the reported deal for self would be around 40 mil over 10 years.... at o$u????) but money talks and self would be a fool not to look at t.boone's o$u. and if it doesn't work out for him.....he's still set for life just like the last guy $utton.
Whether you agree with it or not, it usually comes down to money. This is just an early sign of the new dynamics in the Big 12. Northern schools are at an extreme disadvantage. Little population growth which equates to smaller future wealth growth and accumulation. Kansas might have tradition, but long-term it can't compete with Texas , A&M, Oklahoma, and now, Oklahoma State. Self undoubtedly will consider this with the two offers.
1)He played for OSU and graduated there
2)His wife was a cheerleader for OSU and Alum
3)Hes from Oklahoma
4)His wife is from Oklahoma
5)The grandparents are in Oklahoma
6)Hes coached ORU and TU here in Oklahoma
7)10 million is a lot of money to come HOME
8)Hes reached the highest level..you cant go any higher at KU.
9)You must repeat or be under fire
10)Coaches like to fix things...OSU needs help. Hes great at re-building (ex:TU, IL, KU, and now possibly OSU? :) ) Hopefully
SO for those of you claiming its all about the money, think again...its HOME. We welcome you Bill, please return to your alma mater and bring tradition back. POKE fans need you. GO OSU!
PS Boone if your reading this please give him anything he wants, I will buy football tickets if you do :)
Daniel-Be honest. You couldn't care less about what kind of person Bill Self is. The only reason you don't want OSU to hire him is because he will so quickly overshadow What's-His-Name down in Norman and OSU will be back on top in basketball as it should be.
It will be interesting to watch the dominoes fall if Self moves. I'm not sure KU would go for Turgeon just because he is an alum. He really didn't do that great with what he had coming back at A&M. Not sure I see Gillispie going to KU either. The rumor is that he doesn't like the pressure cooker at Kentucky. From the frying pan into the fire seeing how KU just won it all and following Self would be a tough act. I hope you are right about Self, but I'm still not sure it will be purely a money decision. Both sides are going to come up with lots of it. KU has to have plenty of wealthy alums that will step up now that he's won a NC for them. At the end of it all, it think it will come down to whether to stay at a more tradition-rich basketball school or come home to OSU.
The only reason Coach Self would leave KU for OSU is the money, hopefully theres more to him as a person, and he says no to B. Pikens University, I mean OSU.
Most likely, Self is coming back to Stillwater. Next question:What coach does Kansas pursue? Stay local. Turgeon of Texas A&M (a Kansas grad) or Manning. Or, as the Kentucky faithful fear, go after Gillespie. And again, if Turgeon goes to Kansas, my guess A&M tries to bring Gillespie back. See a lot of coaches getting big raises if Self takes the OSU offer. And you have to know, they are all silently hoping in that direction.
I seriously cannot see him leaving Kansas, but strange things happen. What will he feel like when the new KU coach wins by 40 in Gallagher Iba Arena next season? It would definitely be a challenge. Better play that angle, to challenge himself.
I just held my breath when he was being interviewed after that game, hoping he wouldn't pull a "Les Miles" and announce that KU was where he wanted to be. Granted, I recognize it is a long shot, but it's nice to have hope.
Everyone should be clear that Bill is obviously posturing for the new contract at KU. All coaches do this. Bill is in an interestingly favorable situation considering his leverage of Boone v. new KU contract. Ultimately I believe he wants Florida numbers AND to be at an elite program together.
GO POKES
Patrick, part of "growing up" is learning, not just how to read, but how to read and construe someone else's comments. I did not say OSU shouldn't spend a ton of money, or even that the amount of money was an issue. I think OSU, as a school, pushed this Self-coming-home angle during a bad time for Self. If you want to dump it all on the media, fine. Sittler, I guess, is T. Boone's financial consultant.
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But this nonsense about OU losing its "umpteenth" big bowl game? Here's the facts. First, OU has played in 27 major bowl games (fyi, that's a lot) and has won 17 times. Not too bad...63% winning percentage.
Second, OSU hasn't been to a major bowl game since the troops returned from Germany and Japan.
Thanks,I needed a good laugh.
PS Im not an OU fan either.
I do hope OSU gets a good coach. Good for the Big 12, good for my OSU buddies and good for a school I used to respect a great deal, but now will root for as much as I do Missouri.
Self will stay at KU. He will not take an inferior job even if he had to drive to work in an armoured car. He will get a big pay day from KU, that he would be getting regardless. He will be booed mercilessly when he comes back home for the OSU game every other year, but for no fault of his own.
A top 3 coach deserves a top 3 job...not a top 30.
Doug in Knoxville, GO POKES!! (and Lady Vols)
2)His wife was a cheerleader for OSU and Alum
3)Hes from Oklahoma
4)His wife is from Oklahoma
5)The grandparents are in Oklahoma
6)Hes coached ORU and TU here in Oklahoma
7)10 million is a lot of money to come HOME
8)Hes reached the highest level..you cant go any higher at KU.
9)You must repeat or be under fire
10)Coaches like to fix things...OSU needs help. Hes great at re-building (ex:TU, IL, KU, and now possibly OSU? :) ) Hopefully
SO for those of you claiming its all about the money, think again...its HOME. We welcome you Bill, please return to your alma mater and bring tradition back. POKE fans need you. GO OSU!
PS Boone if your reading this please give him anything he wants, I will buy football tickets if you do :)
GO POKES