Archive for Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Ronnie Chalmers resigns from KU
Father of former Jayhawks player to pursue ‘other interests’
Ronnie Chalmers, director of basketball operations for Kansas University's men's basketball team and father of former Jayhawk guard Mario Chalmers, has resigned from his position, head coach Bill Self announced Tuesday, August 12, 2008.
August 12, 2008, 3:36 p.m. Updated August 12, 2008, 4:16 p.m.
Advertisement
Another Chalmers leaves KU
First Mario. Now Ronnie. A second member of the Chalmers family is leaving Kansas' men's basketball team. Enlarge video
Ronnie Chalmers, director of basketball operations for Kansas University's men's basketball team and father of former Jayhawk guard Mario Chalmers, has resigned from his position, head coach Bill Self said Tuesday.
"We are very thankful to Ronnie for his efforts the past three years," Self said. "We have all enjoyed his connection and participation with the basketball program. His family will obviously be remembered at Kansas."
After serving for five seasons as the head coach at Anchorage, Alaska's Bartlett High, Chalmers arrived with his son at KU in June of 2005. The two were part of three Big 12 regular-season titles and the team's 2008 national championship run.
"I have mixed emotions about leaving a great university and a great community," said Ronnie, who leaves at the same time as Mario, who was a second-round pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 34 overall), then shipped to Miami, in the 2008 NBA Draft.
"I want to thank all the staff and fans for their loyalty and support of the Chalmers family while we were here. Our goal was to come here and win a national championship and we accomplished that. I have decided to move on to pursue other interests. I will certainly miss the Jayhawk fans, but we will always remain part of the Jayhawk family and the Lawrence community," Ronnie Chalmers added.
Self said in a phone interview Tuesday that he and Ronnie Chalmers had chatted about Ronnie's future plans off and on for some time now.
"We visited when Mario made the decision to leave (for NBA last spring). We talked about it the last few days," Self said. "This was not anything I wanted to happen, but certainly it's understandable. I understand the dynamics have changed (in Chalmers family) now that Mario is gone. I understand why Ronnie would want to pursue other things at this stage following Mario's departure to the NBA, but that does not take away from his contributions to KU the past three years.
"He will certainly be missed. I appreciate Ronnie and Almarie (Ronnie's wife) and the time they spent here."
Mario Chalmers, one of the heroes of KU's national title victory over Memphis, recently hit the jackpot financially, landing a three-year deal with the Heat for $2.3 million. According to figures recently released by KU in accordance with a freedom of information request, Chalmers made $71,600 last year and was ticketed to earn $90,000 next season.
Ronnie Chalmers served 22 years in the Air Force and is eligible for an array of military retirement benefits. Almarie Chalmers has already earned retirement after working 20 years in Alaska's school district.
As far as Chalmers' replacement, Self said he'd begin looking for a new "administrator" to join Brett Ballard (administrative assistant/video coordinator) and Jeremy Case (graduate student manager).
There is a strong possibility Ballard, who has been on Self's staff the past five years, will move into Chalmers' slot on the staff, though Self would not address that issue.
"We've got to go through the proper channels," Self said of any job opening. "We'll have one more administrator on the staff. There will be Brett, Jeremy and one more person. We don't know the titles yet."
¢ Henry update: Xavier Henry has scheduled the second of four campus visits. Henry, a 6-foot-6 senior from Putnam City (Okla.) High, who will attend KU's Late Night in the Phog on Oct. 17, tells Rivals.com he will visit Memphis Oct. 24-25. He will also make an unofficial visit to KU on Sept. 20. Henry also has UCLA and Texas on his final list of schools.
More like this
- Meet the Chalmers August 21, 2005
- Gary Bedore's KU basketball notebook April 24, 2008
- Chalmers to stay in NBA Draft, forego senior season at KU 7 comments / June 15, 2008
- Chalmers officially moving on 1 comment / June 16, 2008
- Kansas gains another Chalmers June 29, 2005
Top ads RSS
- Schwans Home Service now hiring starting at $32,000 a yr. ...
- Grant Writer Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas seeks ...
- Tax Prep Help Wanted Full-time, Temporary Position for the 2009 ...
- Floor Tech/Floater Sun.-Thurs., 2-4 hrs. per night, start at 5:00 ...
- ALL GIRLS & GUYS $400 - $850 / week. No ...
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- FINAL: Ressel's last-second field goal gives MU 41-39 victory over KU November 28, 2009 · 84 comments
- One dead after car-motorcycle accident near 27th and Missouri November 27, 2009 · 55 comments
- Faith Forum: What’s your favorite religious verse? November 28, 2009 · 15 comments
- Mangino 'optimistic' he'll return next season November 28, 2009 · 16 comments
- Blog: Freebies And Deals To End The Week November 29, 2009 · 1 comment
- Poll: Should the Kansas Legislature pursue opportunities to privatize or outsource some government services? November 27, 2009 · 20 comments
- Woman sees image of Jesus on her iron November 28, 2009 · 41 comments
- Woods hurt in accident November 28, 2009 · 23 comments
- Fear tactics November 27, 2009 · 46 comments
- Blog: How Has Obama's Stimulus Helped You? November 21, 2009 · 108 comments
- Woman sees image of Jesus on her iron November 28, 2009
- Victim ID’d in fatal car-cycle crash November 29, 2009
- St. Louis hoops recruit has KU on top list September 4, 2009
- Lawrence City Commission expected to approve $800,000 in improvements to Kasold Drive November 27, 2009
- Firebirds’ 4-year run notable November 17, 2009
- Market features exotic holiday gifts November 28, 2009
- Mammogram message poorly framed November 28, 2009
- City caters to its increasingly diverse population with culture, food offerings November 28, 2009
- 8th grade football October 11, 2001
- City commission agenda for Dec. 1 November 28, 2009
12 August 2008
at 3:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
wysiwyg69 (Anonymous) says…
like ya didn't see that coming… next father soon combo soon to be announced… can't blame him though, probably moving to miami
12 August 2008
at 4:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
fyrfighter1955 (Anonymous) says…
Imagine that. His son got what he wanted. A pro career. The only reason Dad got signed is to get Mario. Coach? We know better. Mario did not deserve to be drafted. His dad did not deserve to coach. See ya. Will forget ya.
12 August 2008
at 4:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
pimp11 (Anonymous) says…
Nothing like coaching High School ball for 5 years then next step is Assistant at KU and a national championship. Way to ride the coat tail of Mario. Next……….. coach/player addition
12 August 2008
at 4:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Solomon (Anonymous) says…
He wasn't an assistant coach; he was Director of Basketball Operations. He had no coaching duties whatsoever.
12 August 2008
at 4:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
jakeoliver84 (Anonymous) says…
Ronnie Chalmers was Mario's high school basketball coach.Ironically he got a spot on the KU coaching staff also.Seems to me like there was a catch to getting Mario Chalmers.This was their negotiation process: “Mario will come play for your team on one condition: that I get a spot on the coaching staff”I agree that this makes us look bad.Beat it Ronnie.I don't think the team should make a habit of this.
12 August 2008
at 4:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Faka (Anonymous) says…
Bunch of haters on this site, all the time!!!Hate hate hate!I'm sure you were all on the sidelines and at every KU bb practice, and privy to every conversation that went on between the coaching staff. Of course, you priveledged few who grace us with your presence on the comments section of ljworld.If you all know what's going on, why aren't you writing articles for the paper? Geez. One day you're everyone's hero, the next day they just grab the trophy and give you a big FU. I'm going to be the one to say: Thank you Mario and Ronnie. It was a great March, I had a great time watching the games, and even though two pitchers of beer were spilled into my purse when you hit that 3, I wouldn't trade that season for anything in the world. I wish you both the best.
12 August 2008
at 4:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
angelmom (Anonymous) says…
Why do you people have to be so negative? Good luck to both Ronnie and his well deserved, newly draft son Mario.
12 August 2008
at 4:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Royals (Anonymous) says…
Mario had already signed a scholarship before his Dad was even offered a job.
12 August 2008
at 4:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
50YearResident (Anonymous) says…
Hey Ronnie, We want to thank you for bringing Mario to the University of Kansas. We wouldn't be National Champions if it wasn't for you two. Thanks
12 August 2008
at 4:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
nobody1793 (Anonymous) says…
Didn't Danny Manning's father do the same thing?
12 August 2008
at 4:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
jakeoliver84 (Anonymous) says…
But on the flip side, it got us a national championship. So my above comment is NOT a complaint. Repeat: NOT a complaint. Merely an observation ;)
12 August 2008
at 4:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
BigPrune (Anonymous) says…
Oh come on people, Danny Manning played for KU and his father Ed was hired to coach KU while Danny was a senior in high school and he coached throughout Danny's career then moved on. KU won the national championship during that period.Big deal. More power to them especially since the players have made KU millions yet the players get essentially nothing in return other than a free education.
12 August 2008
at 4:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
TheSychophant (Anonymous) says…
Hey, lets not forget Danny Manning And how bout Nino Samuel, and his father, Ray, who stayed on in Lawrence, and was director of Human Relations. None of us thought any different when Ronnie was hired, so why should we be dissing them now. Hey, Mario lead us to the NCAA championship, gave us three great years, and is living his dream. Okay, he wants his father with him. Maybe just to watch. But so what. More power to them. And thank you, Chalmers family. You all were great for KU and Kansas/. Best of luck!
12 August 2008
at 5:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
hail2oldku (Anonymous) says…
duplenty (Anonymous) says: “Mario did not deserve to be drafted.”You're either super ignorant regarding basketball, or an MU fan.––––––––––––––––––––––––-Redundant.
12 August 2008
at 5:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
nobody1793 (Anonymous) says…
Maybe we should all be mad a Joe Dooley for NOT having a son lead us to a championship! Slacker!
12 August 2008
at 5:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
oldvet (Anonymous) says…
Not totally redundant… one could be the former without being the latter, but to be the latter is redundant to also being the former… ;-)
12 August 2008
at 6:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
IllTeachYou (Anonymous) says…
Um, do you think it might be possible that fathers with lots of basketball knowledge and understanding raise sons who are good at basketball? And maybe adding both to a program makes the program better?And when Dad is on the coaching staff, isn't just a little less likely that son is going to do something stupid and illegal? I'd suggest that maybe looking for families where basketball knowledge (and character) is passed down from generation to generation might just be a decent part of a recruiting strategy for both coaches and players.It would be different if we had hired Mario's dad and he had turned out to be a liability to the team.
12 August 2008
at 6:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
lawrencerox (Anonymous) says…
Who will wash and fold the team's towels and uniforms now?
12 August 2008
at 6:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
jayhawks71 (Anonymous) says…
Can someone explain to me (by pointing to some NCAA rule) why it is OK for a school to hire the dad of a recruit to “coach” on the team, but if they got the dad a job working for a booster's car dealership the NCAA would probably come down on that. Why? Even if it wasn't a stipulation of Mario playing for KU, it sure looks odd… What is the loophole here?
12 August 2008
at 7:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
punkrockmom (Anonymous) says…
I really liked Ronnie when we'd go up there to see the Jayhawks off to the tournament. He was always nice to all the kids and strongly suggested that the guys all come sign banners and stuff. Great guy. I'll miss him at least once a year! Anyway, good luck to the whole family.
12 August 2008
at 9:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
pimp11 (Anonymous) says…
blah blah blah
12 August 2008
at 9:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
thebcman (Anonymous) says…
Joe Dooley is one trippy looking dude. Beaker from the Muppets comes to mind.
13 August 2008
at 7:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
grlzdad (Anonymous) says…
Note to Self: (Bill Self not Myself)Nepotism has already gotten us two championships. I think we would be foolish not to give it another shot.
13 August 2008
at 7:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
grlzdad (Anonymous) says…
Dooley looks funny from the front but he looks even funnier from behind. What is with that ducktail?
13 August 2008
at 8:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
countrygirl (Anonymous) says…
What does the director of basketball operations do? Just wondering.
13 August 2008
at 8:12 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Informed (Anonymous) says…
I dunno, reading the article I couldn't help but think that it's just another case of 'helicopter parenting'. Weird. It's normally the mom, but I guess dads can helicopter, too.
13 August 2008
at 8:24 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
janeyb (Anonymous) says…
“What does the director of basketball operations do? Just wondering.”Don't know, but it pays well. The military career, the 20 years in Alaska (a little off the beaten path), and Mario apparently being an only child may make for a close family. Is that such a bad thing? Best of luck Chalmers family.
13 August 2008
at 8:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
PapaB (Anonymous) says…
What a team player. I mean, stepping aside to clear a spot for the next great recruits' dad. We should be thanking him for being overpaid in an administrative position for the team and bringing KU a championship. Usually, the position he occupied is the next step after unpaid (but given free school) graduate assistant. A 30-45K salary is typical, but I'm positive he made a lot more than that.
13 August 2008
at 9:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
mrkuwick (Anonymous) says…
Hey Carl Henry, we have a spot open!
13 August 2008
at 10:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Phogfan86 (Anonymous) says…
“Nothing against Mario, but this does LOOK bad.”How does that ring look?Anyone who thinks that this doesn't happen — or that head coaches don't TRY to make it happen — at every competitive D1 program in the country is naive or delusional.
13 August 2008
at 11:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Gootsie (Anonymous) says…
You negatives are all pathetic. And stop with the comments on Coach Dooley. Thank you Ronnie for being her and keeping things going. We loved having you and your family and best of luck to you. You can believe we NICE KU fans will be cheering for Mario and you in whatever you do.
13 August 2008
at 12:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
stuckinthemiddle (Anonymous) says…
mrkuwick I was thinking the same thing…
13 August 2008
at 1:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Gootsie (Anonymous) says…
oh poo. Being here, not her! :)And I also like the Carl Henry thought!
13 August 2008
at 1:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
d_prowess (Anonymous) says…
To correct an earlier comment, I don't think Mario is an only child since there were a few pictures during the tournament of his sister…
13 August 2008
at 1:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
toe (Anonymous) says…
These puff jobs for recruits parents is a natural way to pay the athlete.