KU coaches supportive, understanding

Kansas University men’s basketball coach Bill Self is hoping his women’s coaching counterpart, Marian Washington, feels better soon.

“I’d gotten to know Marian a little when I was first here,” Self said of his days as a graduate assistant on Larry Brown’s KU staff in 1985-86.

“I’ve gotten to know her since I’ve been here. I like her a lot and certainly hope, most importantly, she is feeling better, feeling well soon.”

Washington announced Thursday she was taking a leave of absence from her coaching duties because of medical reasons, which she did not disclose.

“It’s a very stressful profession,” Self said. “If you don’t have your health you can’t do your job and do it to your potential unless you have energy.”

Two years ago at Illinois, Self was hospitalized five days during the season because of diverticulitis, which is inflammation of intestines.

“I didn’t miss any games,” Self explained. “We played Tuesday, I checked in Wednesday, we played Arkansas Saturday in Chicago. The doctor let me out to coach, and I went back to the hospital after the game.”

Self had part of his colon removed the following summer.

“I’m fine now,” Self said. “Certainly, I hope coach Washington is feeling better real soon.”

Self is a friend of Utah men’s basketball coach Rick Majerus, who has decided to step down after the season because of health concerns. Majerus spent three days with Self in the preseason.

“I’d gotten to know him pretty well, though I’ve not talked to him since this occurred,” Self said. “I think he certainly brought up some good points in the article I read. It’s hard to do this job unless you feel well. He is one of the best coaches in America, and I hope he’s OK.”

Louisville coach Rick Pitino also recently took medical leave.

“We have a unique profession,” KU volleyball coach Ray Bechard said. “Things like this are becoming way too common. It sends a message that you have to listen to those things about yourself before you can help others. … It’s Marian’s nature to worry about everyone else and nurture everyone else. It was obvious from things said during her press conference that she’d let things slide with her health.

“I think I speak for all our coaches when I say we’re going to support her and her program in what ever amount of time she needs to spend away. Hopefully she can return and do what she loves to do.”

Washington has won seven conference championships and more than 500 games in her 31 seasons at KU, but the Jayhawks are off to an 8-9 start and are in danger of a fourth straight losing season.

The stress of being a major-college coach could be taxing, Bechard said.

“Regardless of what type of season you’re having, you put so much pressure on yourself,” he said. “You think, ‘If I can just get through this game or this match,’ but then you go through it all over again with the next one.

“In the last eight to 10 years, expectations have really escalated, especially with the big sports like football and men’s basketball. But we’re all competitors, and we want to put the best product out there that we can. The demands of the job are pretty formidable.”

Washington, 57, never had missed a game in 31 seasons. Assistant Lynette Woodard will take over on an interim basis, beginning with a 7 p.m. home game Saturday against Oklahoma State.

“It’s going to be strange,” KU soccer coach Mark Francis said. “It’s going to be hard for the players. You’re not expecting something like this in the middle of the season, but when it’s a health-related issue, that’s the most important thing. I think it’s good everyone is being very supportive. I think Lynette will do a great job.”