Bill Self Turns Down Oklahoma State Money, Will Stay at Kansas

The deep pockets of T. Boone Pickens and the desire to return to his alma mater weren't enough to convince Bill Self to leave the school where he's won the national championship.

Self, whose Kansas Jayhawks won the national championship on Monday, has announced he will not go to Oklahoma State and will be back at Kansas next season.

Ordinarily, it wouldn't even be an issue: Kansas just won the national championship and is a better program than Oklahoma State. Why would Self even think of leaving? But Oklahoma State is no ordinary school.

For one thing, it's the school that Self and his wife attended, and it's closer to his family than Kansas. There could have been personal reasons for him to head to Stillwater. And perhaps more importantly, there's Pickens, the billionaire who practically owns the Oklahoma State athletic department and opens up his wallet any time he thinks he can improve it. He would have made Self by far the highest-paid coach in college basketball history.

As it is, Self will turn down a few million but still be highly paid with a new contract and a pay raise at Kansas. Jayhawks Athletic Director Lew Perkins says the details of a new contract for Self "will be finalized in the next few weeks."

Said Self at his news conference today, "I don't know what the big deal is. ... There was never serious interest in leaving the University of Kansas. " Well, coach, the big deal is that you're the most sought-after coach in college basketball, and you're staying put.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-10-2008 @ 10:27PM

Greg said...

Thank you, Coach Self. KU nation is special and you have earned our respect. Your decision to stay demonstrates a high degree of integrity and class.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk.

4-10-2008 @ 8:12PM

ron said...

Oklahoma State should be talking to Coach Calipari...He needs to go to a major conference to prove his worth

4-10-2008 @ 8:21PM

Ward Summerville said...

A BIG PART OF BILL SELF'S PACKAGE AT KANSAS WAS THAT HE GOT THE UNIVERSITY TO AGREE TO BUILD A NEW BUILDING TO HOUSE THE PLAYERS. HE ALWAYS THINKS OF OTHERS AND NOT JUST HIMSELF.

4-10-2008 @ 9:34PM

Wes Smith said...

I'm disappointed that Bill Self didn't come home to OSU. He's a wonderful coach and Kansas is fortunate that he stayed.

4-10-2008 @ 9:59PM

petejayhawk said...

MDS, the unique thing here is that a large part of Self's negotiations with Lew Perkins centered on facilities upgrades, including student housing.

That's the word on the street out here, anyway.

PS: You gonna come out to the ballpark with us again this year? 1st weekend in June, same place, same time.

4-12-2008 @ 12:08PM

wreader712 said...

Coach Self, very tough decision for you, however, it would appear that it is the best/right decision for you and your family to stay in Lawrence.

It has been my experience that it is "always tough" to go home. Places change, people change. The one thing that is constant is change. Home is never the same once you leave. You are creating your legacy and new memories at KU. It is a great university, very nice campus and close to a major city in KCK & KCMO. Staying put is a good thing.

Your new challenge will now be to go back to back Championships with a new roster of JayHawks. Seems like a pretty big challenge to me.

Don't forget, you will be paid extremely well for coaching a game. You are blessed, enjoy it!

Good luck for the upcoming season.

4-12-2008 @ 9:57PM

Don said...

The guy from post#1 is a complete moron as any coach who has taken two non-major conference teams to the Final Four most certainly doesn't need a power conference job in order to "prove his worth." I'm no fan of John Calipari and his arrogant ways, but facts are facts. Oh well, never ceases to amaze just how mindless some people are.