It might be the hair.

Kansas University men’s basketball assistant Kurtis Townsend knows it could be his smoothed-back hairstyle that caused the players referred to him as “Slick” in their Senior Night speeches.

But he also has some other theories.

“I came in here and probably didn’t say a whole lot when I first got here, just trying to get the lay of the land,” Townsend said. “I guess that style, just being laid-back, did it for me.”

Townsend pauses, then smiles as if finally discovering the real reason for the nickname.

“Being from California and then coaching in Miami last year,” Townsend said, “I think they didn’t have anything else to say about me.”

Slick or not, KU’s players have found more and more reasons to like Townsend.

“He’s a cool guy,” Keith Langford said. “Right now, in his first year, he might be used more for the recruiting side of things, but he’s a laid-back person and someone you can always just go to.”

It wasn’t always that way.

Cover: PDF | JPG Rugged defense lifted Bucknell into NCAAs Seniors set for last hurrah Walk-ons provide boost from bench Kleinmann happy to help KU starters Young Davis lands gig Aide Townsend settles in Stat man Jones says KU games a labor of love Photos: Last Dance Rigg: Terrible March predictions KUsports.com bracket contest Fill out a free printable bracket Printable bracket .pdf | .gif 2005 NCAA Tournament stories Complete 2005 NCAA Tournament coverage Get cell phone alerts for all tournament games

As a first-year staffer, Townsend did take some time before he truly made his presence felt. He often just observed the action, waiting until he felt comfortable with the coaches and the team.

“I always knew it was one of the top programs in the country,” Townsend said, “but looking from the outside you never really know what goes on.”

Townsend’s discomfort wouldn’t last long. He said the players’ acceptance of him made the transition from assistant coach at Miami to KU a smooth one.

“These guys are like family to me now, and they’ve treated my family well since I’ve been here,” Townsend said. “This has just been great all the way around.”

In his sixth Division One assistant-coaching stint — with stops at Southern Cal, Michigan, California and Eastern Kentucky earlier in his career — Townsend said KU’s fan support made it stand out from other schools.

“The way these people around here are so into it to me is one of the greatest things,” Townsend said. “Every night the gym is sold out, and I haven’t been in a place like that for a while.”

Townsend played point guard for Western Kentucky for two years, helping lead the Hilltoppers to a 1980 Ohio Valley Conference title before starting a coaching career.

Though known mostly for his recruiting, he has contributed to all coaching aspects at Kansas, including scouting, game preparations and practices. Townsend believes this hands-on training will one day help him land his own head-coaching position.

“Coach Self is great about making sure that we’re ready when our time comes,” Townsend said. “We’re involved in everything.”

Townsend said Self made it an issue to get all his assistants involved in the numerous facets of coaching. He also credited Self with being fair to his three assistant coaches.

“Everyone works the same amount of hours,” Townsend said. “He’s good about giving you freedom to work within the system to get you ready to be a head coach.”

A few moments stand out — with the Georgia Tech and Kentucky games coming to mind immediately — but Townsend said he still most vividly remembered the exhibition games played over six months ago.

“I remember the trip to Canada was my first experience with coach Self on the bench,” Townsend said. “Just to see how he was able to coach these guys during the games, I knew then that this had a chance to be a special year.”

Townsend believes it still can be because of the experience.

“I’ve never been on a team with so many seniors,” Townsend said. “The leadership they’ve given has been great.”