Self, Perkins hold preliminary talk / LJWorld.com

Archive for Thursday, April 10, 2008

Kansas basketball head coach Bill Self told the 25,000 fans how much he and the team loved their support.

April 10, 2008

Self, Perkins meet

Less than 48 hours removed from Monday's national championship, Kansas head coach Bill Self and athletic director Lew Perkins met this afternoon to discuss Self's future at Kansas. Enlarge video

Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self and athletic director Lew Perkins met for 15 minutes Wednesday to discuss the fifth-year coach's future at KU.

The short meeting - a longer one is on tap, likely for today -had both Self and Perkins smiling afterward, meaning progress had been made toward keeping the man Oklahoma State wants to lead its hoops program safe and secure for years to come in Lawrence.

"We just talked in general," Self said in a sit-down interview with the Journal-World in Self's office. "We did not talk a lot, but it was very productive. Lew is 100 percent supportive. Lew knows the thing I'm most concerned about is to continue to have the resources that will allow us to compete at this level, things like facilities, housing (for players), things already in the works. We'll visit in detail tomorrow."

Self stressed, "I love KU, I love this place, my family loves this place." He gave every indication he will remain KU's coach, perhaps with an announcement as early as today, once specifics are discussed.

"I anticipate this moving forward in a very positive way. This won't drag on," Self said. "All I'm interested in is giving the program the best chance to continue to compete at the highest of levels. Lew wants that, too."

Self likely will receive a hefty bump in salary with the security of the additional years he desires. He said he also will visit with Oklahoma State officials, who want him to replace Sean Sutton as coach.

That talk likely will come in the form of a phone call, though it's always possible athletic director Mike Holder and booster T. Boone Pickens might find a way to try to woo KU's coach face to face.

"It's not to compare offers or anything," Self said. "Out of respect to my alma mater, I'll at least visit with them. I don't anticipate anything as far as serious interest in leaving this place.

"It (OSU) is my alma mater. There's no way I'm going to say I'm not going to accept that phone call. There's no way. I know everybody there," Self added. "Even if it's just to offer assistance or to listen or whatever. I can tell you what I have played out in my mind is going to happen, and I hope that's the case, that everything at KU is going to be great. Lew is 100 percent supportive of how to handle the situation. He knows out of respect to your school you should at least visit with them even if not for anything more than just talk."

Talking to OSU is one thing; seriously considering leaving KU is another. And Self made it clear Wednesday he's not looking to move.

"Lew knows after the meeting that the main thing I'm concerned with is, we need to have resources that allow us to compete and recruit at this level consistently with all the other programs that have put resources in their programs. It's what Lew wants as well," Self added of Perkins, who had no comment on Self's contract talks or OSU's pursuit of his coach Wednesday.

Already in the works is a new practice facility that will be next to Horejsi Center connected to Parrott Athletic Center. It will add 1 1/2 additional practice courts for the men's and women's teams to use. Also on the wish list are improvements to KU's athletic dorm, Jayhawker Towers.

Self stresses in the rocky coaching profession he'd like personal security. He has three years remaining on his contract at $1.375 million a year. Look for more money and more years.

Some crazy rumors were out there Wednesday. One particularly rampant rumor suggested Self would rake in $25 million to remain at KU for eight years. Florida's Billy Donovan is the country's highest-paid coach at $3.5 million a year. Texas' Rick Barnes is highest paid in the Big 12 at $2 million per annum.

KU benefactor Dana Anderson said he'd not heard any specifics about a possible new Self contract.

"I know in his heart of hearts he wants to stay," Anderson said. "There are ways of structuring things (so) he can get the long-term protection he wants. He wants some security and is entitled to it. He is a perfect fit for Kansas. If we have to find some more money, a lot of people will step up and help."

Another booster noted: "What he really wants to know is he'll be here eight, 10, 12 years and if not (if he for some reason got fired) gets a heck of a payday. I see no reason for us not to do that."

Self was almost giddy in discussing his situation at KU with the Journal-World on Wednesday.

"Yes," he said quickly, asked if he and his family love KU. "I am overwhelmed right now by everything. The support in San Antonio from our fans was totally overwhelming. The turnout at Memorial Stadium (25,000 fans for Tuesday rally) was overwhelming, even in bad weather.

"The interest level to do a parade : I'm just overwhelmed by everything going on and also overwhelmed in a large part because of seeing a group of guys perform at such a high level under stressful conditions when it counts most : as a coach that makes you more proud than anything."

He had more to say about his happiness quotient.

"It's been a great five years. Of course this past year was the best. Certainly people have been very good to us. I didn't enjoy losing in the first round two years ago, and I know the fans didn't enjoy it much. The support here has been excellent. We have a loyal fan following. It's so pleasing to see it all come together, to see how much people care and how much it means to so many people."

Of course, the folks at Self's alma mater want him there. There have been rumors of a $6 million signing bonus and $4 million a year for 10 years.

"I personally don't think any school would feel that strongly about a situation," Self said, asked if OSU would make him offer after offer he in theory could not refuse. "I owe it to them and myself to have a conversation. I do not anticipate leaving this place.

"All I want," he concluded, "is us continuing to do the things necessary to compete and recruit at this level, do what other schools are doing to have success here for a long time."

Discussion

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10 April 2008
at 6:43 a.m.

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panhandle2 (Anonymous) says…

There is no better place in the midlands to live and rear a family than Lawrence, Kansas.
10 April 2008
at 7:41 a.m.

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Rickyonealku (Anonymous) says…

And there is no better place to send your kids to college than Lawrence, Kansas. Goodness I live in Norman, Oklahoma and have for 30 years….I love KU…Rock Chalk Jayhawks….
10 April 2008
at 12:09 p.m.

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LogicMan (Anonymous) says…

It's not complicated, what they likely talked about:Bill said “show me the money”, repeatedly.Lew said, repeatedly, “I'll see what we can do”.Hopefully they can come to agreement swiftly that will keep Bill here for a long time! Deep-pockets donors — please contact Lew immediately.
10 April 2008
at 12:47 p.m.

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toe (Anonymous) says…

Perkins will pay whatever he thinks he can squeeze out of the fans. But, unlike taxes, I can choose not to buy a ticket. Get what you can Bill. While you are negotiating, can you ask the administration to build a domed football statium, cure cancer, and create world peace?
10 April 2008
at 12:56 p.m.

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mikeisthename (Anonymous) says…

Two things I want to say.First, I wish that Coach Self had said he will not talk to Oklahoma State under any circumstances. Doing that raises their (OSU) hopes and keeps the Jayhawk Nation in suspense. Maybe they are playing a high stakes poker game. Self should have said no to even talking to OSU.Second, if Coach Self leaves then who will coach next? Everything would be up in the air. The direction of the program could end up miles away from where Coach Self has taken it. Anyway. Have a good day.
10 April 2008
at 1:12 p.m.

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Andini (Anonymous) says…

They had a new contract worked out weeks ago. Lew's just being Lew and getting more donations out of all of the deep pockets and Williams Fund Donors.You da man Lew!
10 April 2008
at 1:14 p.m.

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Andini (Anonymous) says…

…and it looks even better to now have OSU & T Boone's money to use as leverage.

10 April 2008
at 1:27 p.m.

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cg22165 (Anonymous) says…

I think it would be rude of Bill Self not to at least talk to OSU. Whatever happens after that, well hell, sometimes it's just business, folks. I liked one of my first jobs a lot and liked everyone there, but when I got an offer for twice the money, I did what was right for my family.
10 April 2008
at 1:29 p.m.

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northtown (Anonymous) says…

Let him go!!! Give it to Manning.I don't want to pay more for our season tickets!! They are to expensive now!!!!!KU will thrive without Bill,Kansas is Kansas,home of greta basketball !!! Save us all some bucks !!!! Roy did it,he probably will also anyway. Goodbye Bill it has been a nice run !!!!!! Now lets hear all the citizens bitch !!!!!
10 April 2008
at 1:37 p.m.

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pimp11 (Anonymous) says…

Either way, rock chalk champs in '08!!!!!!kuu.. ku….KUU..ku….KUUU
10 April 2008
at 1:58 p.m.

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northtown (Anonymous) says…

I should have said it this way.Williams fund already cost the family 100,000 dollars a year.Wife and i both graduated from KU with doctorate degrees,and we,if we get season tickets or not,who ever knows who gets them,do not want to pay more.They have already sent us a letter,just begging now,but they will demand it soon,always do !! Let him Go!!!!And yes,Rock Chock J-Hawk,we will back them all the way,probaly no matter what they do!! Bill has had his run,got just what he wanted,now wants more,and needs it i do agree,the training and practice court,but sometimes enough is enough!! Hire someone that is KU true and will stay for many years with nobody hassling him!!!A wonderful run this last year,and yes,KU won it all!!That is what matters now !!! GO KU!!!!!! But please no mre money,get it somewhere else!!!!!! We are stuck for life with donating funds,will not back out !!Can't signed the contract for funds for years ahead !!!!!Let him go home,it will just come around in another couple years !!!!!! So do it now!!!!Good luck to all of you who have to pay nothing,but life is what it is!!!!!!!!!!!Give it to Manning,he needs somewhere to start !!!!Let it be here and now !!!!!!
10 April 2008
at 1:58 p.m.

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oldvet (Anonymous) says…

Hey toe… can we get realistic and skip those last two things??? BTW, if you choose not to buy a ticket, please move aside… the line behind you is long and willing…
10 April 2008
at 2:30 p.m.

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autie (Anonymous) says…

I heard a report on Tulsa radio this morning. The OSU AD had emailed the press basically saying they have not talked to Bill and mentioned no numbers to anybody and that all those dollar amounts being bantered about were all fabrications of creative journalist/radio people.
10 April 2008
at 2:30 p.m.

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cellogrl (Anonymous) says…

Okay, you all have to be realistic about this. No matter who we get to coach, they will be coaching an elite program and someone from some other school will come after them to coach there. It is not living in the real world to expect a coach to be at KU and not have others come knocking on the door. Keep Self if we can. He's obviously a really great coach and a really great fit for the community.
10 April 2008
at 2:58 p.m.

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funkdog1 (Anonymous) says…

Oooooooo. I like the idea of Danny Manning coaching. That would be awesome!

10 April 2008
at 3:31 p.m.

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Celeste (Anonymous) says…

I don't know where some of you are getting that Coach Self is a greedy money hungry jerk. Just because someone has offered him a s*itload of money (and that isn't even necessarily TRUE!) doesn't mean he's going to ask for millions more from KU and he'll leave if he doesn't get it. He hasn't given any indication whatsoever that he'll be leaving, just leave the guy alone. He helped our team win a national championship give him a break!
10 April 2008
at 3:43 p.m.

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stuckinthemiddle (Anonymous) says…

Celesteyou got it…
10 April 2008
at 3:47 p.m.

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frankiej65 (Anonymous) says…

espn.com is reporting that they interviewed Self by phone and he told them that he spoke to OSU by phone… They asked if he had any interest in coming home… He said no… this is where he wants to be.Self is staying!!!
10 April 2008
at 3:47 p.m.

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Rickyonealku (Anonymous) says…

The pregame speech Coach Self gave the team before winning the Championship should be played prior to each home basketball game next season…KU……Rock……KU…
10 April 2008
at 3:55 p.m.

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oxandale (Anonymous) says…

He's staying?? GO KU
10 April 2008
at 3:59 p.m.

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smn723 (Anonymous) says…

I completely agree with oldvet and Celeste. Northtown - the point of your message was??? Was it to bolster how much money you and your grad wife give to the Williams fund? It seems that is the case as the only mute point you portrayed was of a person who is willing to cut down the best coach we have ever had with KU basketball. Look at Self's stats. We had the most wins this year in KU basketball history. He has given us a championship trophy that Williams could not produce in 15 years of coaching basketball here. And were there raises in the season ticket prices while Williams was coach? There sure was. So think you could have been blowing 100k a year to watch Roy Williams coach us to disaster with some of the greatest teams hands down…heck, you probably did. I'd put my 100k+ on watching a great coach that has shown success. You don't think if Danny Manning became our coach and won a championship that he wouldn't get great offers from other colleges? He would. Every great coach does. It's still a profession. When you got your Ph. D. did you not see a raise in your salary? It's blatantly apparent that one thing that can't be taught in college, even at the doctorate level, is common sense. Thank you for proving that point northtown. And I agree. If you want to complain about spending that kind of money every year, then don't. There are plenty of business professionals in Lawrence and the surrounding areas that will take your spot.
10 April 2008
at 5:24 p.m.

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martyks (Anonymous) says…

I would be more concerned for Coach Self than KU if he seriously considered a move down to Oklahoma St. The alumni there is used to doing what they can when people turn their backs and Bill won't be turning his back. If he left, I would give that marriage about three years to implode or change so dramatically that you would not recognize the place. An old saying applies here: You can never go home. Bill IS home. He's made a home here. If he leaves, fare thee well, but Danny Manning should not be in line without a remarkable interview. This is an elite program and we only gave an assistant a shot at the job when we were on probation. I suggest OSU talk to Sampson. I hear he's available and it would be such a great match too.