Just call it love of Self.

As Bill Self is announced today as the new Kansas University men’s basketball coach, he will find himself welcomed with open arms, if fans contacted Sunday are any indication.

“I think we could not possibly do any better,” said Bill Tuttle, a member of the KU Athletic Corp. board of directors.

Tuttle, who is also a KU professor of American studies, was among the KUAC members who Sunday afternoon met Self in the Naismith Room at Allen Fieldhouse. Tuttle confirmed that Self was being hired as Roy Willams’ replacement.

Among others who were there were some players, student managers and Jayhawk radio commentator Max Falkenstien.

Tuttle said Self was accompanied by his wife, Cindy, and their two children, Lauren, 10, and Tyler, 8, at the afternoon event.

“He seemed to want to spend a lot of time with the players,” Tuttle said of the new KU coach. “I shook hands with him, and we chatted briefly. It’s been a hectic adventure for them.”

Many fans used the words “excellent” and “exciting” to describe the hiring of Self.

“Bill Self’s record speaks for itself,” said Dr. Bud Gollier, an Ottawa physician. “I think if we hire Bill Self, the team will hit the ground running. It’s exciting.”

Andrea Zuercher, Lawrence, was among those who said hiring Self was an excellent choice. She also said she liked that Self has Midwestern roots and that he has been an assistant at KU and head coach at Tulsa and Oral Roberts universities.

“He’s young, very energetic, and he certainly is familiar with the conference,” Zuercher said.

Clay Kappelman, Lawrence, said he didn’t know a lot about Self but knew enough to be happy about the hiring. Self will do “a good job,” Kappelman said.

Kappelman said former KU coach Roy Williams was jumping “from the frying pan into the fire” by accepting North Carolina’s job and working under the shadow of legendary coach Dean Smith. Self wouldn’t have the same problem replacing Williams at KU, Kappelman said.

“I don’t think KU fans will have as high an expectation for (Self) in the first year like North Carolina will have for Williams, but that’s just my opinion.”

Vicki Julian, Lawrence, says she thinks Self will continue the reputation Williams had for running a clean program and keeping players under control.

“Roy has done such an outstanding job,” she said. “If somebody got out of line, you knew he would take care of it. We don’t have the reputation like Missouri used to have. I think (Self) will continue that.”