Self isn't the first to turn down his alma mater Switzer, Royal both turned down similar opportunities Self isn't the first to turn down his alma mater
Bill Self slept on it.
A good alma mater is worth a good night's sleep.
Self had the same opportunity that Royal and Switzer had many gridirons ago. Return home. Go back to the old campus, the beloved college where they played ball and sang the school song, where they graduated and coached, where they made lifelong friends and lifelong memories.
Self made the same decision Switzer and Royal made.
He stayed put.
Self on Thursday committed to staying on as basketball coach at Kansas, turning down Oklahoma State's homecoming plea.
Alma mater ties run deep. But so do plum circumstances, which is why Royal stayed at Texas instead of going to Oklahoma, and why Switzer stayed at Oklahoma instead of going to Arkansas, and why Self stayed at KU.
Self said OSU athletic director Mike Holder did "an unbelievable job of striking the right chord” in his pitch to Self. And he didn't mean money.
Most everyone has a soft spot somewhere in their heart for the old times. Old homeplace. Old friends. Old romance. Old school.
"Absolutely,” said Royal, the 83-year-old Texas coaching legend. "There would be something wrong with him if he didn't.”
Self said Holder's spiel was provocative. Self said he was "seriously interested” in listening. I believe him. Switzer and Royal listened, too.
Royal turned down OU in December 1965, after Gomer Jones' disappointing two-year run as the Sooner football coach.
OU came at him with sentimentality — restore the luster to the program built by Royal's coach, Bud Wilkinson — and big money: six-year contract, $32,000 annual salary that would climb past $50,000 with outside incomes. Hefty cash during the LBJ administration.
Royal thought about it a couple of days and declined. His listed reasons are sort of quaint compared to 21st-century negotiations: Texas gave him the security of a full professorship, UT faculty had embraced football without resentment and the ‘Horns' blossoming success.
"I don't think it's wise to jump when you're in the middle of the stream,” Royal said this week from his Austin home.
Back then, Royal wasn't sure how it would fall on the wisdom scale, even though he had taken the Longhorns to the 1963 national title and would get them there again in 1969.
"I hope it was the wise decision,” Royal told The Oklahoman in 1965. "I just hope I haven't made anybody mad at the University of Oklahoma or anybody mad at the University of Texas.”
That's a fate Self surely has avoided. No one in Kansas can be upset with him — in the same week in which he coached the Jayhawks to the NCAA title, Self turned down untold millions to stay on Mount Oread.
And it's a fate Switzer avoided in 1976 because he kept the courtship with Arkansas largely out of the press.
Switzer's Razorback coach, Frank Broyles, was retiring to become full-time athletic director. Broyles wanted Switzer, who had coached the Sooners to national championships in 1974 and 1975.
"They were going to pay me a hell of a lot more,” Switzer said.
But Switzer told Broyles no, and after Broyles told Switzer to sleep on it, the next day the answer remained the same.
"I remember the exact conversation,” Switzer said.
"I said, ‘Frank, I really, really appreciate it. No job in the world I'd rather have, other than the one I'm at.' I gave him the reasons why.”
Thomas Lott. Kenny King. Billy Sims. Daryl Hunt. Greg Roberts. And a dozen more great players recruited in 1975.
"‘Frank, I've recruited a great class,'” Switzer told Broyles. "‘I'm going to have some great teams. Even though Arkansas's a good job, I've got so much invested here.”
So much invested here. Think about that. Sounds like a pretty good description of how Self must have felt the last couple of days.
Royal remained a Longhorn and Switzer remained a Sooner, but both say their feelings for their alma mater never wavered.
"I pulled for Oklahoma every time, always have, except against where I'm employed.” Royal said. "I'm proud to be an Okie. Oklahoma's always special to me. Always will be.”
Switzer still goes over to Fayetteville for football reunions. He's headed there later this spring.
"I've got great ties to Arkansas,” Switzer said. "Great state. Great people.”
Self says the same thing about OSU and I believe him. Says there are only two schools at which he would want to work. "The one here (KU) and the one in Stillwater.”
Different places, different sport, different decades, but Barry Switzer and Darrell Royal know the feeling.
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For all of you Cowboy fans who are trashing Bill Self for not coming home, grow up! The man has always spoken well of his alma mater and as Jayhawks we understand and respect his feelings for OSU. He is also a person who has consistantly been open and honest when he speaks. When he was mentioned as a possible successor to Sutton he said he would listen but would recommend that OSU look elsewhere. He even drove to the KC area to meet with your A.D.. Bill followed the advice I give my children, any big decision you should sleep on and see if you feel the same way the next day. Don't be mad at Coach Self for staying at KU, be proud that the state of Oklahoma and OSU produced such a fine person that you wanted him back. Best of luck in your search for your coach and we wish OSU success, except when you face KU!!!!!!!! Rock Chalk Jayhawk KU
danny, or whatever you call yourself today: Okla A&M was ALWAYS the Cowboys. Since the very early years of the 20th century. Aggies is a nickname given to EVERY school with A&M (it means Agricultural & Mechanical, in case you didn't know). The name change means nothing, moron! Wichita State U. used to be Wichita U, for instance. And what about schools that change nicknames, like Stanford (Indians to "the Cardinal"). Does that mean none of their records or accomplishments count any more??? I've never really dealt with anyone more obtuse than you seem to be. Get a clue, or shut up.
Barry, good article. As much as I hate to bring this up...you left out the one person who didn't sleep on it. Back in K-State's basketball hay day (I think it was in the late 70's) OSU alum and K-State coach Dick Hartman actually took the job at OSU. After sleeping on it he changed his mind and went back to K-State. That wasn't a very classy move by him. Self has nothing but class. Good luck Bill...maybe later you'll be OSU's coach.
If the talks between Holder & Self transpired the way it was reported, I've got a whole new level of respect for Bill Self -- and it was pretty high in the first place. As great as it would have been for him to come home, I hope he achieves all he wants to at KU.
Any Oklahoma State fan who isn't delusional, such as myself, has been saying from the beginning that Self wouldn't return. Most of the State fans I'm acquainted with aren't delusional. We're at our wits end that Holder seems to have no backup plan as signing day fast approaches. Why would a Jamie Dixon or the like come to OSU when they know they could be fired without enough time to prove themselves? These men have families and other factors to consider. Next season is already gone. Pull your HEAD OUT, HOLDER!! You and T. Boone were idiots to waste so much time on a man who was never coming. If OSU doesn't make the tournament next year, I *know* who to blame.
Hey dannyitmustsucktobeyou - Ou changed its name too!!!! So anything that happened there before that didn't happen. Of course I am not sure what happened but it was truely renamed. LOL!! Guess that happened alot back then. ****Oklahoma's admission into the union in 1907 led to the renaming of the Norman Territorial University as the University of Oklahoma.**** But what really is weird. Is it OU or the University of Oklahoma or Oklahoma University? See OU would be Oklahoma University but University of OKlahoma would be UO, so I guess there is still some identity confusion down there. Maybe they should have stayed as Norman Territorial University.
ST, just don't let it bother you. You are wasting time on this board trying to argue with someone who can't comprehend rational thought. It is ok to let the dude talk. It's the same thing as watching Tyra Banks or a girl from "The Hills" talk, we know they are delusional and we enjoy the entertainment. This rule applies to Danny.
Actuall Jacob, I have found that OU fans that actually attended OU are usually more gracious and will discuss things more logically that the TPT that jump on board a winning program for the sake of being labeled a winner. I am sure when Schellenberger and Blake and Gibbs were at the helm, he was rooting for Texass or some other institution that was on the rise at the time.
No itmustsucktobeyouDanny - I am just tired of playing with you. You are Obviously of below average intelligence and cannot understand that changing a name changes nothing. Just like I said - You are still the same POS you were as danny even though you have changed your name. SSDD!
Poor Danny, it must suck always trying to find ways to put down a rival school when he never attended the school in the first place. That is what all of the OU fans on this message board are, they are a "fan" not an "alumnus". Keep on trying to justify why OSU's NC's don't count. Doesn't matter to me, I mean, how could it? It is coming from a delusional Cameron grad.
my purpose is to teach the ignorant, that a school with a different name is not the school at which the ignorant root for. Judging from the last two comments, the ignorant are laying down, cowing down, giving in to the truth that is the A&M championships.
itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore - Apr 11, 2008 at 2:53 pm
lets focus on the real issue here, Bill Self does not, want to be at osu, and to keep from tarnishing his image, he had to say good things about osu, its as plain as black and white, get over it find a new coach.
itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore - Apr 11, 2008 at 2:40 pm
All he did was change his name. So I guess he isn't the same as he was when he was Danny? But wait a minute he looks the same to me..so he must be the same...Hey there is the arguement. He changed his name but he is the same!!
ST, do not worry about Danny. It makes him feel better about himself when he can make up his little fairy tales. I pointed out to him in the past the Iba was the coach from 34-70 which spanned the name change and he did not change jobs. Also pointed out that the university president Oliver Willham was in office a few years before and after the name change. He did not change jobs. This is the only way danny can get people to pay attention to him. I keep hoping if we ignore him he will go away. But apparently he has nowhere to go.
From Wikipedia for dannyitmustsucktobeyou - Men's basketball is tradition rich at Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State made the Final Four in 1995 and 2004 and was the first ever Division 1 basketball program to win back-to-back National Championships in 1945~1946.
On May 15, 1957, Oklahoma A&M changed its name for the final time to Oklahoma State University to reflect the broadening scope of curriculum offered. Taken from OSU Web site for dannyitmustsucktobeyou.
The University of Oklahoma A&M? PUTZ!! IT WAS OKLAHOMA A&M - NOT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA A&M. You can't even get your facts straight. Mr Iba lived in Stillwater till his death. He still went to the basketball games at his school...OSU, so he was actually at the wrong school? By the way - Gallagher Hall is where Okla A&M played...now it is Gallagher-Iba Arena. Go to Stillwater sometime - someone can show you around. There is actually a building that has been there since 1890...Ooooo, that is a long time. PUTZ!!
St from Oklahoms city, if you need to talk about things man! I am always here. You seem kind of troubled. The truth hurts, either out of shame or some other reason that is unspeakable, the school changed its name. A name change at a university isnt a normal thing to do. The record book says nothing of osu winning a basketball championship. The record books say the University of Oklahoma A&M did though. Stop laying claim to Iba's achievements, its not fair to do that when he is not around to defend himself.
itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore - Apr 11, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Coach Stoops has said time again that he likes Norman, and his family likes Norman, that means alot to me and other OU fans. I hope one day that osu will get a coach that truely wants to be in stillwater, then maybe the typical osu fan will know what it feels like to have someone who can say "they truely love their university" and really mean it. Bill Self of course said "I love my school" ,come on folks! did you really expect him to say any different? He has to play the public relations game. Think about this real hard, without all the insults that you classy osu people are so famous for, all this boils down to is, T. Boone would have offered him a kings ransom, it was where he grew up and went to and also coached right? What more could he have wanted? His family would heal nicely with that fat check he would have been getting. Newsflash! he only said the nice things because he had to, he did not want to be in stillwater, he didnt really care either. osu fans have some pride, dont bash Bill, look at like getting dumped for that prettier girl, move on!
itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore - Apr 11, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Dannyitmustsucktobeyou -All the same ignorant person. Bill Self said there are only 2 places he would want to coach...OSU or KU. WE can accept that he chose KU. Can you accept that your current BB coac which someone...Gaylords) ponied up extra money to keep him, has done no better that Sean Sutton in 2 years? And honey musch as you try to ignore the fact Okla A&M is the same as OSU. The campus is the same the building are the same. Go back to whatever it is you do in Wilson or Ardmore or any other little poducnk town you claim to be from. You are nothing more than an OU troll talking about things which you nothing about!!
The typical osu fan, is so starved for something good to happen to their school, that any kind of hope like a Bill Self coming, or athletic renovations happening, or the big one, Mr Pickens spending that insane amount of cash, that they are always set up for disappointment and anguish. As an OU fan I have experienced the thrills of winning championships, and the terrible times of losing. The big difference in the two schools is, osu has not won in basketball or football, I dont care about what A&M did in the fifites, there is a big reason your school has a different name now, and furthermore this is Oklahoma, wrestling has long since died out, this is a football and basketball state. With all due respect, atleast finish rising to power in one or the other sport before you can claim osu is a real powerhouse.
itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore - Apr 11, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Has anyone thought about the fact that leaving KU one of the top five basketball programs in the nation would be a bad career move for Self. Fans of both OU and OSU sports need look no further then the available basketball seats at both venues this year to understand why Self would never leave KU for OSU. I hope OSU finds a great coach but to pursue Self based on the fact that he could come "home" was never going to work. Self is home.
Excellent article, Berry. Self has a family to consider as well as his personal aspirations. They have uprooted every few years to follow Bill's dream. He is in a great situation for continued success. I would have loved to see him come home, but I understand his reasoning. Five years from now, if the new OSU coach doesn't work out, Self may be at a different place in life and ready for a new challenge. Holder is learning on the fly. I hope he asks the right people for help.
David in edmond: You've got to be kidding! Mess???? Holder is doing more for OSU than has ever been done in history. It is different and it is good. He has a vision for OSU that when implemented will be unmatched in college athletics. Self could have been a big part of it, but the timing wasn't right at this time. Maybe it will be in the future.
Maybe Coach Bill Self just did not want to work for A.D. Holder. Maybe he just did want to get involved in the OSU drama and the big mess T.B. Pickins and A.D. Holder have created at OSU.
"No in the country will come close to OSU....I see us winning a national championship in football and basketball with in the next 3 years...." -- Timmeh: Ahhh, it's good to start my TGIF with a good laugh.
I agree, it's the coaches and the teams that make up championships, not the facilities. Throw all the money at football or basketball and you may get increasingly better but to develop a tradition of winning and championships takes time and solid coaching. Right now OState is lacking in solid coaching. Recruits are going to look at more than just facilities. It's a positive step in the right direction, but OState really needs to examine it's coaching staff. Sutton out but Gundy gets a raise and contract extention...?
Tim, you are a MORON, to even imply that Coach Self is a traitor is absolutely ridiculious. He is obviously a very gifted coach and does what he feels is right for himself and more importantly his family. OSU will have the facilities to produce championships if they do remains to be seen. Facilities don't make the team they are just the bait to get recruits on campus. A perfect example of that is the Guthrie athletic dept and facilities. They produced two State Championships this year and don't have the budget or facilities that is even close to the 6 A schools in the state and they beat the best that 6 a had to offer this year in basketball and would have beaten Jenks or Tulsa Union if they had played them in my opinion. It's the heart and desire of a team that wins championships and I don't see that from OSU right now. So for you to claim that OSU is going to dominate the Big 12 based on Mr. Pickens money is an ignorant statement so try showing some class by supporting whoever Mr. Holder brings into Stillwater to lead the Cowboys in the future
This article is a joke.... I love how it tries to impky to Self "slept on it," when he indicated during his press conference that there was never any serious interest on his part. You can call it what you want but Self never considered going to Stillwater.
You made a huge mistake Bill...You traitor!!! Once our facilities are built,then no one in the Big 12 will be able to compete with us.That means basketball,football and,baseball...No in the country will come close to OSU....I see us winning a national championship in football and basketball with in the next 3 years....We should be in the Big 12 CG in football this year no problem.Our defense looks like the the real deal from what I saw last saturday and,
O-who and Texas are washed up....We should brush them both aside without breaking a sweat....Go Pokes!!!!
After sleeping on OSU's offer, Self stays at KU 04/11/2008 In the end, Bill Self decided to stay home rather than return home. The Oklahoma State graduate will remain as men's basketball coach at Kansas, but not...
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