I don't believe we're in trouble at OSU. We'll get someone good, don't worry, be happy! If we don't, hey, we're a wrestling school anyway! If we're competitive, that's good enough for me. Look at what Paul Hansen did at OSU. Nice guy. Got us to the Sweet 16 once. He came from an NAIA school. Abe Lemons took OCU to the Sweet 16 in the NCAAs. They were a top 10 team. maybe the guy we're looking for isn't as obvious a choice as we might assume.

Who's biting? So far, no one. Why that doesn't concern anyone is beyond me. We're not going to get a top coach. Top coaches don't want to deal with being owned by Pickens or only having 2 years to prove themselves if T.Boone decides to fire them on a whim. O-State's in deep trouble.

Oooooh, the devil in Payne County! Like he's never visited there before! Corporate buy-outs, wahaha! Sean Sutton? Wasn't ready for prime time. got a sweet buy-out. He won't be whining too much. Another coach? There's a small army of them out there waiting for this job. Bill Self? Wish him well, but coaches have changed their minds before whether they're staying or leaving, ha! If he stays, so be it, did you see the potential list of coaches the Oklahoman sport page ran? I think everyone knows now we're looking for someone good, and I think they know what caliber we expect, and a ballpark figure of what we'll pay. Who's biting?

Why is T. Boone the devil? You'd have to talk to the many people who lost their livelihoods in Bartlesville when he attempted to corporate raid the former Phillip's Petroleum back in the 80s for the full story on that sad bit of business. T. Boone has no sympathy for the little guy, to say the least, but that bit of history is neither here nor there. In the here and now, he's short sighted for believing that money would buy him everyone he wanted without having a backup plan. I could have told the man that Bill Self WAS NOT COMING no matter how much money he threw at him. I wish I had a nickel for every time I've said it during the past two weeks. Where's our new coach? Signing day is fast approaching. Where's the backup plan? You bought yourself a puppet in Mike Holder, but where's your backup plan, T. Boone? All that money and you couldn't buy a clue. Oh yes, Oklahoma State has--sadly--made a deal with the devil. Sutton's out because T.Boone wanted him out.

It's refreshing to see a coach be loyal to a school who believed in him before he accomplished great things. I applaud Bill Self's decision. We wanted him. He made a good decision to stay. I wish him well.

He's staying put. Why am I not surprised?!

I kinda wish some KU alums would write in to this forum and let us know what they think or know about the situation. I'm sure they're all in a party mood. They deserve it. That was one miracle finish. We may not see another NCAA final like that ever.

Why call Pickens the devil? What has he done which is so evil? Yes, the amount we'll pay Self may seem exorbitant to some, but wouldn't you take it if offered? There are no guarantees in life. Pickens wants a national championship, and Self wants a secure future for his family. What's wrong with that? We may never win another basketball championship, but we'll be competitive with Self - very competitive, and we'll have a nice guy running the show, and an alum. No one is selling their soul here. Self was successful at ORU and Kansas made him a better offer. If we make a better offer, then he will probably listen, if nothing else. There are probably other coaches we're looking at, but our focus right now is on one man, and it will be his decision in the end. and it wouldn't just be the money which would lure Self. There are other factors as well at work, none of which, I feel fairly confident, are not products of Satan.

I have been a die-hard Cowboy fan for twenty-five years, but I'm beginning to be uneasy about the apparent deal-with-the-devil we've made with Mr. Pickens. My love for the Cowboys is deep and rich because we've suffered together and the good times (beating OU, the Final Four) are sweeter because of that suffering. Now we seem to have an unofficial 'owner' of athletics calling the shots at OSU. This makes my investment in the program seem trivial and I'm close to finding a new team to pull for.

I think the offer to Bill Self is gross. We should find a coach who's not lured by money. Let Bill enjoy his moment in the sun - he deserves it. Let's find a coach who wants to come to OSU for our tradition.

Are you so sure Self will stay in Kansas? Maybe OSU's program isn't on a level with kansas, but that doesn't mean it won't be. And we have more basketball tradition than OU does. Sure Kansas is a sweet job. They invented the game, but OSU has some legends of its own, and in the not so distant past. I wouldn't be so sure about his recruiting ability, either. Money and a good coach and accomplish great things. Every coach's dream is to win a national championship, but he did that. just don't be so sure, unless u know something we all don't.

The win doesn't affect anything - Self will stay at Kansas. Anyone who considers OSU's basketball program in the same league as KU's is out of their mind. Kansas is the third most winning program of all time behind only North Carolina and Kentucky. OSU is #37. KU is one of the best coaching jobs in the country. They will offer him enough to stay. They won't match Boone's money because they don't have to. Anyone who thinks his ability to recruit would be the same at OSU is crazy. Most recruits who have an opportunity to play at one of the top programs are not even going to consider OSU regardless of who the coach is. Not to mention, Stillwater doesn't have anything on Lawrence. Plus, who says his goal at KU was just to win one national championship? If he wants more than one, and what coach doesn't, his chances of getting them significantly decrease by taking a step down to OSU.

I don't understand why we are wasting time still talking about Bill Self and OSU. He said from day one that he
wasn't leaving Kansas and coming to Stillwater, and that
they should look elsewhere. Why is he the only coach
in America being considered? Seems to me all this is just a bargaining tool to get what he wants from Kansas.

Jamie Dixon

Davidson's coach is the product of Curry. He has been there like 18 years, and has just had enough success for people to know his name. OSU needs a young coach who can recruit, period.

Davidson coach Bob McKillop would be a good selection if Self chooses to remain in Kansas. There are other great coaches out there. It would be hard to leave a great Kansas tradition. That whole state is KU basketball crazy (well, almost, except for the Wildcat fans). I saw them play a roster-divided game at Hutchison Juco one time. It was fun! They took their game and their excitement on the road!

Devin, Stillwater - Do you honestly think OU's athletic department is run by the Gaylord family simply because their name is on the stadium? The Gaylord family also made a substantial donation to OU's School of Journalism, so no doubt they are running that as well! As to the brilliant mind of Mr. Pickens, I don't believe college athletics is his forte. You are correct in stating that OSU's athletic programs are largely controlled…"controlled" being the operative word. Mr. Pickens has chosen to use his wealth to literally control OSU athletics, when merely signing a check would do. He is abundant in arrogance and ignorance with regard to the operation a Big Twelve athletic program.

OK, Lahoma - Supply and Demand, simple economics. Idiot. Do you think one man can control the world oil markets? Stop listening to what you hear on the news and read in the paper, think for yourself. As you pull up to the gas pump in a Ford F-350 that gets 11 miles per gallon, think to thyself, why would gas be so expensive, perhaps because I use so dang much of it, and I continue to use so dang much of it, no matter the cost.

devin, tell me how great t-bone is the next time you fill up with gas at $4 dollars a gallon. Same arguement. idiot

It is sort of funny to hear OU fans spouting off about how Boone Pickens does that, that, whatever....but, consider this: OU's athletic department is run by a rich family that produces a newspaper that is complete junk, that no one would miss (except for maybe the OU fans who spend thier time on here bashing OSU). On the other hand, OSU's athletic programs are largely controlled by a business man who made his fortune in oil, investing, and now water rights in West Texas. It seems Boone is brilliant for investing in things that seem to have endless demand. I am confused here...OU fans like to say people from OSU are idiots, but it seems, at least in this debate, we are comparing an astute businessman with a newspaper family that basically hires people to make crap up for a living....On the other hand, perhaps the Gaylord's are geniuses...they knew that OU would produce an endless supply of readers for this wreck of a tabloid, oops, I mean, newspaper.

Dean, you got that right. From Peoria, Rock Island, Quincy, suburban Chicago, City Chicago, the players are also there. But keep in mind, two of Self's players at Illinois were from Texas. And Dorian, the type of money that is being discussed, Self is very likely leaving Kansas. (Dean, are you old enough to remember the Cobden Appleknockers from Little Egypt (southern Illinois) Went to the Illinois state finals in 1964. Little town of 900 people. Five guys over 6'10'. Alto Pass was (and is) fruit orchard country. Reason named Appleknockers. A legend in Illinois high school basketball history.

....Texas is a great area to recruit from but last I heard Chicago was a pretty good place to find players too. If Self goes to OSU look for some players coming out of Illinois. Where there is a player, Bill will find them, regardless of the location.

I cannot believe that this is still being discussed. I root for Oklahoma State, and I think it's ridiculous to even consider that Coach Self would quit his job at Kansas to return here. That idiot Holder (excuse me, I meant T. Boone's puppet and yes man, Holder) had better start some serious searching for another coach pretty quickly or O-State will be in serious, serious trouble. Bill Self is NOT GOING TO LEAVE KANSAS. Pickens had better start waving his checks in front of the likes of Stallings or Lon Kruger.

my bad...mispell on "double."

One thing everyone forgets--Pickens can plug Self into one of his hedge funds and doeble his money pretty quickly. By the way, I'm an OSU guy, but I hate that "pistols firing" thing...it is way corny and needs to go on the radio broadcasts.

Arron is just jealous that Pickens had the drive and intelligence to get out of Holdenville and never go back, unlike Arron.

Bill Self is coming to OSU. Aaron in Holdenville why are you so jealous of T-Boone? What exactly has he done that was a bad thing for OSU?

Top 4 schools come and go. Indiana, Georgetown, Michigan State, UCLA. All once were in those ranks. Kansas has problems. The recruiting grounds are in Texas. And that, not coincidentally, is where the rising programs of Texas and A&M are found. Kansas isn't always going to get those recruits. Self should take the money and get closer to the recruiting grounds. And on Sutton, the reason for the revision of his contract is yet to be disclosed.

By there, I mean at KU

Why would it be crazy for Bill Self to go to OSU? 1. He's already at one of the top four basketball programs in the nation, gets great recruits and has everything going for him there. 2. Seldom has Oklahoma State ever gotten the kind of recruits that a school like Kansas gets, no matter who is coach, or at least I doubt that they could in the near future. 3. Sutton proved that if you don't produce quickly, you're out.

Kansas basketball and Nebraska football.

Exactly why would it be crazy. Self primarily recruits in Texas. The other direction is to metro Chicago. There aren't that many quality recruits within a radius of a 100 miles. (200 miles) Nebraska football used to use these same arguments.

I think he would be crazy not to at least listen to OSU's offer of $6 million in signing bonus and the $3 plus million per year. You gotta listen to those numbers. They don't just talk, they shout.

Maybe Williams did leave Kansas for his alma mater, but that school is NC, another Bball powerhouse. Even trade. OSU is definitely a step down for Self. IMO Bill would be crazy to leave KU.

Believe the Oklahoman reported that Stillwater was the fastest growing metropolitan area in Oklahoma. Obviously, people like it.

Stillwater is an armpit -- no way Self is leaving Lawrence.

As a former classmate of Bill Self's, I think it would be a great opportunity for him to come home back to OSU for himself, wife and children would mean alot closer to his parents and siblings that may have on both sides of the families and as we get older we like to be closer to our family and I think it would be great for everyone invovled for him..He was great role model in high school at Edmond Memorial (Go Great Class of 81)

Best Wishes on whatever who chooses to please him and the rest of his family...

Teresa Knight/former classmate of Edmond Memorial H.S. Class of 81

I think Bill Self is a class act that osu would be happy to get as their coach. I hope he comes here.

shannon, what did your post have anything to do with the question? I know it's hard for you, but try to keep your thinking cap on for just a little bit, then you can get back to the drive-up window.

OSU is making a very serious offer for Bill Self's future. Yes, Kansas is a great program, but so is OSU. You forget we won 2 national basketball programs here in the 1940s under Coach Iba. Kansas has won 3 (now). We've been to the Final Four recently. We've been to the Sweet 16 a few times under Coach Sutton. We're a legitimate basketball program. Suppose Self doesn't take the offer. Suppose he doesn't win another national championship at Kansas. Suppose he gets fired there (as great schools are apt to do if their programs don't measure up to expectations). I like Coach Self. I wish him the best on whatever decision he makes. It must be very hard for him and his family. to stay would be hard. To leave would be hard. For him, let him have a few weeks of glory to bask in, then come back and ask him once again.

Maybe the Daily OUklahoman should post the question about what will happen to the wannabe basketball program in that dump called the lloyd noble center when an NBA program comes to OKC. The answer is that the 100 fans that go to their games now will be going to the NBA games, and the ou basketball program will be a bigger joke than it already is.

Coaches leave schools before their contracts are up in the very same way schools fire coaches before their contracts are up. It works both ways. You think Jeff Capel may have had a few years left on his contract when he left VCU? Good coach, but not such a good man I suppose...

Coach Self ought to stay with the Jayhawks until he completes his contract...that's what a man does. Then again, if the terms of his contract allows him to accept a coaching job at his alma mater, then I say...stay in Kansas until you have completed your contract. Is it better to be known as a great coach or a good man?

Rock chalk Jayhawk..congratulations to not only your impressive win last night, but to the Big 12. There are some good comments here, but lets look at the question: Does KU's win affect OSU's chances of landing Coach Self as the Bball coach? The answer is yes, in favor of OSU. Coach Self is a man of very high integrity and personal standards. He accomplished what he set out to at KU, he gave them another national championship. If he had lost, I think it would have been MORE difficult to accept the pending offer from Stillwater, because he would leave Lawrence with unfinished business. Now that they have their 3rd title, he can more readily tranition back home. With Pickens's financial backing, KU will never be able to match the offer OSU will most certainly make sometime very soon. Coach Self has handled this situation with tact and class in the media. He will take the call, he will listen to what OSU has to say. Based on the rumors flying around the country, the fact that he was born and raised in the great state of Oklahoma, his family is here, and he loves his alma mater (like all great Pokes), I think it would be very difficult to turn down the job. At least I, along with all the Cowboy Nation, hope he does. Congratulations Coach on your monumental win and I hope we can welcome you home with open arms.

Does he want to be T-Bones boy or a man who made his own way. T-Bone is no champion, he is a greedy egotist who is still compensating by trying to be in control of a winning sports team. You billy boys are a mess, and it is sad seeing you so with your hopes up. Better offer that money to the brother. Even with Self OSU is a subordinate program in the Big 12. Not enought talent, too much money. Serious mismanagement requiring new administration, and not a oil dillusional oil tycoon calling the shots.

Very simple question. How close can Kansas get to the OSU offer? Media already reporting they can't match. (Even if they could, Jayhawk football program would want it going their direction.) Oklahoman has reported the extent of OSU's financial liquidity, largely due to Mr. Pickens and the investment direction of BP Capital. Holder, and all of OSU, wants Boone to see national championships in his lifetime. I don't think the Jayhawks have the ability to stay in the race. A new day is dawning in the Big 12.

Brett, how was vo tech out i yukon today? did you wear your new OU hat?:)

I am an Okie State alum living in Houston and do not get me wrong I love my Pokes. But this entire situation with coach self is distasteful, I would love to have coach Self at The Oklahoma State University but somehow I know that my depression era father would disapprove and that makes me uncomfortable. on the other hand why all the insults directed at Okie State? Texas (and yes I have a MS from the paler shade of orange as well) and Oklahoma have thrown TONS of money at their athletic programs over the years. Stop the hypocrisy, it is just plain ugly.

BTW...does anyone recall that the NCAA champion, KU, coached so well by Bill Self, was defeated by Sean Sutton's OSU team this very season?

It would be super for OSU if Bill Self made the decision to come there. There is one big question. Would that be super for Bill Self?

It wasn't so funny when OU fans thought they had a serious chance at John Calipari. Are you freaking kidding me? What established coach in his right mind would want to coach basketball at OU?

Brett, i don't think you know too much about coaching. First, Roy Williams left a great job in Kansas to go to his alma mater. So did Bob Huggins. Many coach's contracts provide for their leaving for their alma mater. Second, most coaches go where they make the most money. OSU can and will pay Self a lot of money, maybe more than Kansas can pay. Third, you must be an OU fan who is hoping against hope that OSU will not land a coach with Self's credentials. So maybe it isn't such a joke after all and you may find it more hilarious than you imagine.

Are you kidding me? OSU fans are in for a rude awakening when they find out where they THINK their program is compared to where it ACTUALLY is. What a joke! I guess Coach K at Duke and and Roy Williams are also on their "short list." Absolutely hilarious. "Pistols firing!" ha ha ha too funny.