Holder says he's regrouping
AD admits to being brokenhearted after Self decides to stay at KU
Holder says he's regrouping

Comments Comment on this article56

By Andrea Cohen
Published: April 11, 2008

STILLWATER — As Bill Self took a stage in Kansas to announce he will stay in Lawrence, questions about Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder's whereabouts swirled around Oklahoma.
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Was the AD already in Nashville working on Plan B? What about a flight scheduled from Stillwater to Minneapolis?

In reality the AD was in his office, sitting at his desk, nursing a bit of a broken heart.

Holder flew to Kansas on Wednesday evening and met with Self in a hotel south of Kansas City for several hours. Holder and Self both said they did not discuss any dollar figures for the OSU men's basketball coaching job, but Holder left with the hope that Self was coming to Stillwater.

Self called Holder on Thursday afternoon, a couple of hours before his press conference in Lawrence, to tell him he wouldn't be coming.

"I told him he broke my heart, and I'm serious about that,” Holder said. "So I'm gonna have to kind of regroup and get over that, the loss, first. Then figure out where to go from here.”

"I think from my point of view I put a lot of energy and thought into the moment of truth with Bill Self when I sat down with him last night. I think at the end of the day I had myself sold on him coming to Oklahoma State but I couldn't sell Bill Self on coming to Oklahoma State.”

Holder said that because he firmly believes "you don't make any decisions over money,” he and Self discussed other things during the meeting, with Holder trying to appeal to Self to "come home.”

"I thought a lot about Bill Self before, but I think a lot more of him now,” Holder said. "I think he's a lot more than just a basketball coach. He's a leader of men and Kansas University is very lucky to have him and we're very proud he's a Cowboy. He just happens to be coaching at Kansas.”

As for what will come next in his search to replace Sean Sutton, Holder said he hasn't spoken to any other coaches, scheduled any meetings or made any moves.

"There are a lot of good coaches out there,” Holder said. "The real challenge is to pick the one that I think is for us. That's my mission. I failed on my first assignment, so I'm going to try someone else.

"But I think everybody and every Cowboy fan would have been very disappointed, as I would have been with myself, had we not given Bill Self an opportunity to come home. I think out of respect for him and the tradition of our basketball program, we should have done that. We have done that and he has spoken and now it is time to move on to someone else.”

Editor's Note: The story originally contained the sentence: "Holder flew to Kansas on Tuesday evening and met with Self in a hotel south of Kansas City for several hours." That was incorrect. Holder flew to Kansas on Wednesday evening.

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Jim you take things too hard. I've noted about too much sensitivity on the bahalf of many of you. How many sports do you play where you are not critiqued? That is all this is, some of us are more constructive than others. Feeling should not be hurt by ones opinion of a sports team. Learn to have a good time while you are here, you can't make any of us leave. Hell I think alot of it is pretty damn funny and informative at the same time. I'm glad we all have the chance and partake without being violent. If you cannot handle a cyber bully, better not use a computer. Maybe have your mother put you in a V-chip or whatever so you won't be offended. You might want to stay inside you house for the rest of your life, because you hear this bedlam stuff everywhere, and I think many of us love it.
Arron, Holdenville - Apr 14, 2008 11:24 AM
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Yea, I moved to OKC so I could work in Medical Research. NOt much of that going on in Stillwater. Still come back there, family is still there. Just because I moved doesn't mean I don't like Stillwater. You are the one that sounded bitter...my friend!
Katie, Oklahoma City - Apr 14, 2008 8:32 AM
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Moved away, huh, ST? I didn't... I love the place. You talk the talk but live in OKC... kinda funny considering your rhetoric.
richard, Stillwater - Apr 13, 2008 10:57 PM
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By the way Richard, I was raised in Stillwater, so yeah, I may be an expert in the area.
Katie, Oklahoma City - Apr 12, 2008 11:17 PM
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As I said before Richard I misspoke on the danny thing. You are not him and to call you that was wrong cause he really is a POS. I also told you that Crystal PLunge was the local pool. Long gone now. No I was not a get rid of Sean, Bill will come. Aftre Holder fired Sean, I thought we might have a chance if he DID NOT win the NC. I knew when the game was done, he would not come. I cheered Kansas on just the same. 1. Because of Bill Self and 2. Because they are Big XII.
Katie, Oklahoma City - Apr 12, 2008 6:41 PM
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I attended C.E. Donart High, CT. How about the Crystal Plunge, CT? You know what that is don't you... what with you being the Stillwater expert and all??? I take it you must be one of those, "Self will take the job if we just get rid of Sutton" geniuses. Good work!
richard, Stillwater - Apr 12, 2008 5:46 PM
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Gee richard I think you are dannyitmustsucktobeyou from wilson/ardmore. Here is a Stillwater question for you to see if you know anything about Stillwater. Prior to becoming Stillwater High School, what was the previous name? Doesn't really matter to me if you figure it out, you are still danny from Cameron U.
Katie, Oklahoma City - Apr 12, 2008 1:36 PM
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All the Sutton detractors (including Holder and Boone) who wanted Self all along and KNEW he would come back to OSU are... well... let's be nice... let's just say they're, SPECIAL. Now all these geniuses have to do is find a better coach than Sutton... a better coach than Sutton who's all about attending all of Holder's meetings and filling out all of Holder's form's and bowing to Holder, the self appointed Diety of all OSU Athletics. Lot's of luck! (what a bunch of tools)
richard, Stillwater - Apr 12, 2008 10:46 AM
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The next coach for OSU will have to decide if they want to be owned by Boone Pickens. He is calling the shots. Not your average donor, Boone is a bully.
Rob, Oklahoma City - Apr 12, 2008 10:07 AM
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As much as any OSu fan wants Bill self--He was never interested in the job. He never came to us. He just won a NC with one of the top 3 schools in the country. We went to him and yes Kansas is an elite program. But he didnt sell out to even Kansas--did he? You see It must suck...he does have morals and isnt money hungry just like everyone else you say is. At least OSU made him a better person. But OSU isnt as bad as you make them. Only 6 teams have more championships--was 5 until KAnsas with all their greatness just passed us. Only 8 schools have been to more final fours. We are not an elite program but our history does speak for itself and we are a basketball school.
GoPokes001, grapevine - Apr 12, 2008 8:04 AM
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I say, Doug Wojcik for OSU coach!!!!!
Bill, Tahlequah - Apr 12, 2008 7:11 AM
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to itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore; you must be a miserable person. I can think of nothing worse than to be in your skin, so no matter how much it sucks to be osu, it must really SUCK to be you. By the way, if it bothers you so much, why don't you stay off OSU blogs? Wow, to wake every morning and be you would be so sad.
Bill, Tahlequah - Apr 12, 2008 7:10 AM
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and as far as stair stepping job! osu has been an escalator, good coaches come and rise a bit, then guess what always happens? They get off the ride and osu falls back down where we all love osu to be. If osu were in maybe, a nicer town things might be different, but it isnt, so loyal osu fans, be grateful to get any coach to come to your town. have a wonderful osu night now.
itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore - Apr 11, 2008 11:53 PM
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Trey, there is one more reality to speak about. The Oklahoma A&M Aggies won championships in basketball, do not lay claim to something that does not belong to osu. The record books state clearly the team that won the championships in the 40's. It was the Oklahoma A&M Aggies. I have been trying to clear this up for some time now. I will say once more, it was the Aggies! not the cowboys, how can this be mistaken?
itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore - Apr 11, 2008 11:46 PM
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Monty that was a good post directed toward me, you are right, there is absolutely nothing wrong with going after whomever osu wants. What I talk about on here is, the messiah Bill Self, Mr. osu himself didn't want the job at osu. You should have seen all the posts here talking about "how osu got Bill to come on down" and "how his wife was seen looking at houses in or near stillwater". It all came out in the wash! He didnt come to osu and all the classy osu fans jumped the gun. I am sorry but there isn't a top 20 basketball program in the whole state of Oklahoma. to end this the right way, It is a fact now that whomever osu hires as their head coach will only be doing it for one reason, no not pride, no not glory, they will do it for the big PAY DAY, that MR. SELF just made happen at stillwater.
itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore - Apr 11, 2008 11:41 PM
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OSU is in danger of becoming another stair stepping Job. I really did laugh out loud. You mean like what happened at OU? The reality is unless your name is Kansas, UNC, UCLA, Kentucky, Indiana and now Duke(before coach K Duke wasn't too stellar) it will happen to you every now and then. It just means you hired a great coach that could coach at the top-five level. Kansas is the only top-five school in the big 12. OU isn't top ten in any categories. At least OSU has three(a multi-way tie in top-ten for finals fours and championships, oh yeah and twice named the best venue in college basketball). Even if we do lag in the head to head with you guys. Come on guys let's take off the orange and crimson colored glasses. Both are great schools with OSU getting the edge in basketball because our fans and school as a whole embraces the sport more. Neither, are elite schools by any means.
Trey, Stillwater - Apr 11, 2008 10:56 PM
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itsuckstobeou....why is it wrong for a school to go after the best coach avaiable? OSu has offered zero dollars to any coach so far. What are they trying to buy? You listen to the all thes OU reporters and have cloudy vision. Just because your coach used you to get more money doesnt mean were all wired that way. Just sit back, relax and try not to be too jealous.
GoPokes001, grapevine - Apr 11, 2008 10:25 PM
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Sounds like the rumor mill is kicking into high gear. Dixon, Calipari, LARRY BROWN? Great coach in his day and might be good for a year or two, then it would completely implode. Please. And I agree with Phil. Calipari is a great coach, but he just wouldn't seem to be a good fit at OSU.
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 11, 2008 9:12 PM
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M-"Find a solid up & comer from a mid-major and make an offer". What you left off the end of that sentence was "like ou did". That way, we don't have to show you guys up with a bigger better hire, right?
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 11, 2008 9:07 PM
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I just read that Phil Jackson is showing interest in the osu job, he doesnt have any ties with osu, but he heard they were trying to buy a coach.
itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore - Apr 11, 2008 8:23 PM
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Heeee'ssss Baaaacccckkkkkk. Fox Sports reported none other than Larry Brown is in the mix.
Barry, Fort Collins - Apr 11, 2008 7:46 PM
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Calipari does this every year to milk more bucks out of Memphis. No successful, established coach is moving to Stoolwater. Find a solid up & comer from a mid-major and make an offer. OSU is in danger of becoming another "stair stepping" job, ala Tulsa.
M, Oklahoma City - Apr 11, 2008 7:18 PM
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Okay, I give Calipari credit for his coaching ability but can we really have him wearing velour track suits in Stillwater? Please say no!
Phil, Midlothian - Apr 11, 2008 7:05 PM
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Well they just said on the news...I know, (can you actually believe media outlets?), that both Dixon AND Calipari's agents have contacted OSU about the vacancy. Who knows?
Katie, Oklahoma City - Apr 11, 2008 6:30 PM
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Quote from the article: "Holder said that because he firmly believes "you don't make any decisions over money,” WOW!!! And I thought that this is America
trung, oklahoma city - Apr 11, 2008 6:06 PM
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Are you sure it is Holder who is regrouping. I think it is Boone who is regrouping. He ownes the team. He is going to be the reason we might miss out on some good coaches. At the college level coaches don't want to be owned by somebody. Thats for the NBA. After firing Sutton after 2 bad seasons is going to scare others away. They will think well is he is willing to fire Sean after 2 bad seasons why wouldn't he fire me to. Boone do us a favor, keep donating money but stay out of the decision making. You are hurting the program you are trying to build!!
randon, Deer Creek - Apr 11, 2008 5:17 PM
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I've got to believe that decent OU fans cringe when they read the ignorant,inflamatory diarreah that comes from guys like arron, danny, gary and the other dimwits that sit around like vultures on a fence waiting to pounce on anything OSU. Keep it up boys, your day is coming...remember, you reap what you sew.
Jim, Rockwall - Apr 11, 2008 5:01 PM
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Gee dannyitmustsucktobeyou - there are a couple of Malcolm Kelly articles looking for you. What facts do any ou people have other than you are an ignoramous?
Katie, Oklahoma City - Apr 11, 2008 4:10 PM
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Holder best move is to retire and tell T-Bone that if he thinks he is so smart come on down and fix this mess. Before his shame drives him to embarrass OSU even further. Look at what it did to Eddie-passed out at a stop sign. He would be better off smoking a blunt with Adarius, or managing Riley's female boxing career.
Arron, Holdenville - Apr 11, 2008 3:47 PM
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Patrick, you have made enough ignorant statements on here, stop the bleeding! Go back to drawing your monthly check, and leave the facts to the good OU people on here.
itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore - Apr 11, 2008 3:16 PM
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Holder's got nuthin'. There you go, Patricia.
Gary, Oklahoma City - Apr 11, 2008 2:50 PM
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Kevin- I did say "IF his quotes in this article are to be believed". If he does have a plan, I don't want him tipping his hand to the media either. It just seems like a lot of the better candidates out there are taking other jobs and I would hate to see us get miss out on some of them because of taking TOO much time. That's all I'm saying.
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 11, 2008 12:56 PM
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Note to Holder. OSU doesn't have time for you to "regroup" (cry, scratch your head, wonder what to do next, pretend to care, etc.). We are all waiting to see if you can deliver us a decent coach. Decent! Not even Bill Self good. Just somebody who can get us into the tourney. Anything... please.
Jason - Apr 11, 2008 12:54 PM
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You all actually believe he does not have a plan "B" or "C"? Get real. Holder plays his cards so close to vest that he can make anyone believe anything. He is not going to say what his plan is because media is like a leak in a gas line. It spreads all over and then blows up. He said in his press conference he is not going to hire a coach through the media. This recruiting period is shot now anyway so I would rather take time and hire the right coach. I don't want to pull the trigger quick and have to go through this again.
Kevin, Houston - Apr 11, 2008 12:43 PM
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Wow, it's great to have an insider like Gary that can tell us all about the inner workings of the OSU Athletic Department. I don't know what I would do without Gary's keen insight into all the burning issues of the day. Keep up the great work Gary!
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 11, 2008 12:39 PM
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John in Tulsa-I don't think anybody is faulting Holder because he wasn't able to land Self. We all knew that was probably a long shot. I think he approached Self in the correct, professional manner and made a good pitch. No doubt he knows how to judge people and once he interviews some candidates, I'm confident he will choose the right one to lead the Cowboys. My only problem is, if his quotes in this article are to be believed, he wasted an awful lot of time. I understand he had to wait on Self to finish his season, but it just seems he should have been ready to run with the "B" list as soon as Self turned him down.
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 11, 2008 12:34 PM
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Holder can't do anything on his own! He's got to have the blessing of T. Boone and the other rich alums before he decides which shoes to wear.
Gary, Oklahoma City - Apr 11, 2008 12:30 PM
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Holder does not control Self's situation in Kansas. Self also repeatedly said "WE" decided so it clearly was more than just a career decision. Holder can't be held responsible for Self's family being happy there. He has recruited golfers and coaches who are National Champions so he knows how to judge people. He is a proven winner.
John, Tulsa - Apr 11, 2008 12:00 PM
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I am guessing Holder has never hired anyone before. Not a secretary or a yard man or anything. Focus on one guy to the exclusion of the rest of the planet? Naive. Inexperienced. Out of his depth. Pick an adjective. They all apply. The Peter Principle comes true again.
darrell, dallas - Apr 11, 2008 11:43 AM
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bob in portland, you obviously don't understand the real reason Sean is no longer the coach. Holder did the right thing in letting him go.
ROBERT, TULSA - Apr 11, 2008 11:05 AM
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Holder should have a list and when he was headed to the airport he should have been on the phone to the # 2 coach on his list.......
buzz, mooreland - Apr 11, 2008 10:52 AM
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Terrence "T-Love" Mullins is ready for the spotlight. What about Larry Bird? There is compensation, someone will come calling.
Arron, Holdenville - Apr 11, 2008 10:07 AM
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No one in their right mind would take this job.
Gary, Oklahoma City - Apr 11, 2008 9:58 AM
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mike holder is doing an awesome job.
Kenny, elko - Apr 11, 2008 9:05 AM
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I understand going after Self first. That makes perfect sense. But if this guy really thought Bill Self was going to leave Naismith U. at this point, he needs a serious reality check.
James, Norman - Apr 11, 2008 8:43 AM
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I feel so much better knowing that the leader of our athletic dept had no backup plan or any plan for that matter. When you fire a coach w/o giving him a fair shake, you better have something up your sleeve. Evidently no one told Holder
CP, Norman - Apr 11, 2008 8:42 AM
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Holder said. "So I'm gonna have to kind of regroup and get over that, the loss, first. Then figure out where to go from here.”.....Over his head. Drop back and punt Holder. James Dickey is still on the staff, let him run the program for a couple of years while you learn how to do you job.
Marcus, Irmo - Apr 11, 2008 8:33 AM
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No, you don't want him, all he did was bring in a bunch of thugs in the 2nd semester so he could win. He has done that since he showed up. Please don't do that.
OK, Lahoma - Apr 11, 2008 8:28 AM
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Larry Brown? Good lord, no. Hey, what about the guy from OCU? He sounds like a young, stud coach looking for home.
Chris, Jones - Apr 11, 2008 8:24 AM
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Go get Larry Brown and the problem is solved. JMO
Dan, Springdale - Apr 11, 2008 8:14 AM
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I also think Holder did the right thing starting at the top with Self. But, if he truly did not already have a back-up plan (i.e., a secondary list of candidates), then that's just not sound strategy and I was giving him too much credit. He had to know it was a long shot to get Self. He and Dave Martin and the rest of the staff have had 10 days now to be getting together a list of other candidates, getting permission from their respective AD's to speak with them, etc. That time has been wasted and just about every day now, we hear about another quality coach moving on to another job. And Holder is going to sit in his office and be "brokenhearted"? Come on, the coaching carousel is turning and we need to either get on it or get left behind.
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 11, 2008 8:05 AM
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Bob- Holder didn't fire Sean because he thought he was going to get Self. He fired Sean because he was convinced that he was not the long term answer for our team. If it was all about getting Self, then he would have waited until the timing was better to get him. After listening and watching top tier coaches during the tournament such as Self, Calipari etc., you realize what a true leader sounds and looks like. While Sutton may be a good X's and O's guy, I just didn't see him as a leader. The Self saga is over. Holder wasn't able to bring Self home, so now it's time to move on and go get a big time coach and make them want to be a Cowboy. It'll happen. Just wait and see.
James, New Milford - Apr 11, 2008 7:17 AM
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And Bob, a leader reaches for the stars instead of "settling" from the get-go. I think Holder is doing just fine.
Barry, Fort Collins - Apr 11, 2008 7:01 AM
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John, for someone who typically rails the Cowboys and OSU, I applaud you for your lucid comments. I think you presented a thoughful synopsis of the events and for that, I thank you. Time will tell about your last prediction. Being OU/OSU, I think recent history would result in the typical home/home split but you never know. We will come out on our feet despite most of the naysayer comments.
Barry, Fort Collins - Apr 11, 2008 6:59 AM
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And I quote AD Holder: "out of respect for him and the tradition of our basketball program". In my opinion that is what he should have done when evaluating Sean Sutton. But... now he finds himself sitting on the side of the bed wondering what to do next. Does not sound like a great leader to me.

bob, portland - Apr 11, 2008 6:58 AM
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What's to be disappointed about, really? Mr. Self took the time to listen, contemplate, and make an informed decision based on what was best for him, his family, and his professional aspirations. Mr. Holder took his best shot for OSU, choosing to appeal to Mr. Self's loyalty and affinity for his alma mater. Bravo! Despite his professed continuing affinity for his 'home' and his alma mater, discussing the matter with his significant other, Mrs. Self, and making a decision based on his experience of approximately 11 years of being a successful head basketball coach, this success built on stays at little ORU, mid major power Tulsa, perenniel Big X power Illinois, and this last stint at KU culminated by winning a national championship, he made a tough choice in selecting KU to remain as its Head Basketball Coach. OSU did not lose Self, KU kept Self. Now, OSU can go about getting the best coach it can attract, and they will attract a good one to a good job. Having said that, I fully expect Capel's Sooners to win at least two games against OSU next year....please maintain a sense of humor.
John, Destin - Apr 11, 2008 2:08 AM
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