photo by: Kansas Athletics

Fred Quartlebaum

Director of Basketball Operations Fred Quartlebaum will leave the Kansas program in June after a dozen seasons in Lawrence, head coach Bill Self announced on Thursday morning.

Quartlebaum spent seven years as the director of student-athlete development before assuming his current role in 2020. A veteran assistant coach whose first college basketball role was at Navy in 1992, he played a key role in shaping the Jayhawks’ team environment.

“Q has been with us for the last 12 seasons and has been very involved in many aspects of our program, but primarily as the liaison between our staff and community relations,” Self said in a press release. “He’s been the primary person in charge of working with the players and developing a culture within our program. He has done a fantastic job and will be missed. I’m excited for him and (his wife) Christy as they move into another phase in their lives.”

Office manager Lexi Price, a Topeka native who has served in her role since December 2021 and a former four-year student manager, will be promoted to assume the DOBO role, Self said.

“Lexi is one of the most organized and detail-oriented individuals I have been around,” Self said in the release. “Her skill set allows this to be (a) seamless and smooth transition. The new position will be a continuation of her current role in addition to coordinating student-athlete enrollment, housing, and team travel.”

Before coming to Lawrence, Quartlebaum had spent a brief stint at Mercy College following six years at St. John’s under head coach Norm Roberts, who went on to serve for 13 seasons as an assistant at KU before retiring on May 5. (He was recently replaced by Jacque Vaughn.)

A native of Dobbs Ferry, New York, Quartlebaum also coached at Towson, Holy Cross and Fairfield, then caught on with Matt Doherty’s staff at Notre Dame before following Doherty to North Carolina, helping recruit some of the players that eventually won the 2005 national title under Roy Williams.

At KU, Quartlebaum was part of the 2022 national title team, as well as six Big 12 regular-season titles and a pair of Big 12 tournament championships.

“For the past 12 years, Lawrence has been home for my family and me,” he wrote in a statement on social media. “It is a place that will always hold a special place in our hearts. We have shared wins, championships, and unforgettable moments, but more than anything, it is the people and the connections that have meant the most.

“As I look ahead to the next chapter and support my family’s journey, I am filled with gratitude. Thank you to the fans for your passion, your support, and the way you welcomed us into the Jayhawk family.”