Kansas University men’s basketball administrative assistant Sean Harrington has accepted a position as director of basketball operations at Northern Illinois University.

Harrington, a native of Bartlett, Ill., will begin his new duties today.

“I am so proud of Sean and have enjoyed working with him the last four years,” said KU coach Bill Self, who coached Harrington three years at the University of Illinois. “He is going to be an excellent coach, and certainly the opportunity coach (Rob) Judson presented to him at Northern Illinois is one that he had to seriously consider. We appreciate his time at KU and wish him the best.”

Harrington was recruited to Illinois by Judson and has known him for many years.

“I cannot thank coach Self enough for all that he has done for me over the past four years,” Harrington said. “I learned a lot for him when I played for him — it’s the most fun I’ve had playing basketball — and am grateful he took the time to introduce me to coaching this past year.”

Former KU student assistant and two-year letterwinner Brett Ballard is expected to become administrative assistant. Self said Ballard’s post of student assistant would not be filled.