Bill Self was in no rush to leave his Kansas University men’s basketball office at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday after putting in eight-plus hours on his first full day on the job.

The new Jayhawk coach needed to tie up loose ends — a lot of loose ends — before leaving town today on an extended recruiting trip.

“It’s been great. It’s been busy. It’s been exciting,” the former Illinois coach said, noting he had received about 50 phone calls and a stack of messages after being introduced as the eighth coach in KU history at a 1 p.m. news conference Monday.

“People in the business know not to call — they know there’s no way (to return all calls). But it’s great so many people are calling with congratulations.

“We’re obviously not getting as much done and are not organized yet, and we’re kind of scrambling,” he added. “It’ll be less hectic when I get out of town.”

Self plans to visit the homes of KU signees Omar Wilkes, David Padgett, Jeremy Case and J.R. Giddens in coming days and also will recruit some current high school juniors.

Self’s recruiting philosophy is all-encompassing.

“We will recruit nationally,” said Self, who previously coached at Oral Roberts (1994-97), Tulsa (1997-2000) and Illinois (2000-03). “It’s hard to recruit nationally at Oral Roberts, though at Oral Roberts we had kids from Boston, Rhode Island, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas.

“At Tulsa we were more regional. At Illinois we were more regional, because so many good players are in Illinois. We dabbled nationally in Texas. Here, on the current team you’ve got Wayne Simien (Leavenworth) and Jeff Graves (Lee’s Summit, Mo.), both backyard guys. There may not be the numbers like a Chicago, but certainly you have to try to get those guys and recruit nationally for others — really recruit anywhere.”

He was asked to outline his scheduling philosophy.

“Kansas has always scheduled tough, and we will schedule tough,” Self said. “I do think the schedule can be dictated sometimes in terms of experience. Confidence is more important sometimes than toughness, but we will schedule tough.”

Kansas University senior All-American Nick Collison, left, speaks with new KU basketball coach Bill Self. The two visited Tuesday in the Anderson Family Strength and Conditioning Center.

KU fans who annually pack Allen Fieldhouse each Friday closest to Oct. 15 will be pleased to learn Self will have a Late Night Oct. 17.

“We did a Midnight Madness at Illinois,” said Self, who says he plans to embrace traditions at KU.

“People have to understand we have to put our own stamp on the situation, but with total respect for traditions. I don’t see there being a lot of changes from a tradition standpoint. There will not be a lot of times I say, ‘Let’s not do that because we did it in the past.’ If it’s good, I’m going to say, ‘Let’s keep doing it.'”

From time to time he even will talk to former KU coach Roy Williams, as he did on Monday, out of respect to Williams.

“I would never try to posture, better position myself with anybody at the expense of coach Williams. I have total respect for him. It’s remarkable what he’s done,” Self said. “He wants what is best for this program and those kids.”

Self, by the way, enjoys golf, as did his KU predecessor.

“I don’t have any (hobbies),” he said, “but I do love to play golf. I’m not an avid golfer like Roy. If I get a chance in the summer to get away and play, I’ll play. I like to spend time with my family.”

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Padgett honored: KU signee David Padgett, a 6-foot-11 forward from Reno, Nev., has been named a third-team prep All-American by USA Today.

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Miller mum: Former KU assistant coach Ben Miller remains mum about his future plans. It’s up in the air whether he will stay at KU or head to North Carolina to work for Williams. Miller has drawn praise from KU players, Williams and Self for the work he has done since Williams bolted for North Carolina April 14.

Self, who has announced the hiring of Norm Roberts and Tim Jankovich as KU assistants, said it might take a couple of weeks to name his third full-time assistant and two administrative assistants.

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No pictures hanging: Self’s walls in his office remained bare Tuesday. “That is not a concern now. I think if we have that done by the end of June, that would be great,” Self quipped.

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Villanueva NBA bound?: Those in the know do not expect Charlie Villanueva, a 6-9 forward from Blair Academy (New Jersey), to follow Self to Kansas. Villanueva, who has committed orally to Illinois, is said to be leaning strongly toward the NBA Draft.

“Nil,” rivalshoops.com analyst Mike Sullivan said Tuesday, asked the chances of Villanueva being a Jayhawk. He told the Chicago media Monday Illinois also had no chance of landing the No. 3-ranked player nationally.

“If he’s going to play college ball, he’ll first speak to the new coach at Illinois,” Sullivan said. “If he didn’t like the coach at Illinois, he’d go to Connecticut, Syracuse or UCLA. That’s if he went to college. That’s what I’ve been told. That’s my opinion.”