OT: Bill Self Likely Going to Kansas

[kcchief19]

The major sites don't seem to be on this yet, but all indications are that Illinois coach Bill Self is going to be the next head coach at Kansas. The radio station that broke the story that Williams was leaving is quoting their same source as saying that KU has already contacted Self and that they hope to have an announcement within the next two days.

As a Tiger, I'm more or less happy to see Roy go, but I'm not particularly happy with Self going to KU. Good in that it will help even the score in the MU-Illini Border War, but bad in that he's a good coach who likely will help KU not miss a beat.

This is so far the scenario that a lot of coaches were predicting at the Final Four. The end of the scenario is Tom Crean to Illinois. Your guess is as good as mine on who will go to Marquette.

[Ragone]

Mid Major Big time coachs will probably be Marquette's target.. Mark Few... Or Siu's head coach.. would be my guess

Hell, i think Mark Few could be considered for Kansas

[MylesKnight]

Damn, they've chosen a replacement already? I could see where a coach from a quote on quote Smaller Conference or Mid-Major (God I hate that term) would jump right on the opportunity but the Coach at a Top Tier Hoops Program like Illinois?

Is Self not having fun in Champaign or what?

[Swaggs]

I don't see any good reason for Self to move to Kansas, unless it is purely for the money.

Self is in a good situation now and is the golden boy at Illinois Even if he is great at Kansas, he probably won't measure up to Williams' success.

[MylesKnight]

DOLA AMIGOS!!

Hey, why not Steve Lavin?

Or, for a real anal twister, how about Matt Doherty? Now that would be an Instant Classic.. No one would ever forget that moment in Sports History. :D

MATT DOHERTY 4 KU!!

[Craptacular]

Crean better not to go to frickin' Illinois.

[Craptacular]

Dola, the earlier rumors I saw said that if Crean left, Bruce Pearl could move a few blocks south and west from UW-Milwaukee to Marquette.

[Neuqua]

Ever since the North Carolina job was open and rumors about Williams taking it, radio stations all over Chicago have talked about Self leaving for Kansas.

He really is a bigshot around here though, it'd be a shame to lose him right now. In my opinion he's the best young coach in the game today. He's got a very talented young team at Illinois, and his players really enjoy playing for him.

Here's hoping he doesn't go...

[MylesKnight]

I realize there is probably a lot more $$$ to be made at KU, as well as more attention paid to your program on the National Level, but still, why would you want to follow a Roy Williams if you're someone like Tom Crean or Bill Self?

You've got an opportunity to make your own lasting mark of greastness at the school you're currently at, something that probably won't ever happen at Kansas because of the expectations from the success that Williams had.

I understand coaches wanting to coach at the highest level possible, but if you're already at a Top 20 program like a Marquette or a Illinois, why do you feel the need to go to KU? A National Title is defintely within reach at where you currently reside.

[MrBug708]

Steve Lavin? Poor Illi fans

Mark Few will not leave Gonzaga for Illinois or Marquette. Gonzaga is perfect for Few

[MylesKnight]

MrBug, why is Gonzaga so good... while Wazzu and UW are so pitiful?

[illinifan999]

Here was Self's statement.

"I have not been contacted by Kansas. There ae some programs in America we won't be able to match tradition with over time. But that doesn't mean we can't accomplish some great things here and be considered among that group. We're in a great situation, and in the immediate future Illinois has the opportunity to springboard nationwide among the great programs. I'm the coach at Illinois. We're happy where we are. Should anything happen in the future-a year, two years, four years from now-we'll deal with it honestly and openly. Illinois has been awesome to us, and there have been a lot of people who have gone out of their way to make sure we know they like the direction this program is going."

And the likely candidates should he leave are, Marquette's Tom Crean, Mike Brey, Butler's Todd lIckliter, Oregon's Ernie Kent, Xavier's Thad Matta, and former Bulls head coach Tim Floyd.

Got all this out of the Chicago Tribune.

[Butter]

Marquette is not traditionally a top-20 program, though... more like one of those teams that has a real good year every 3 or 4, but usually gets in the tournament, kinda like Xavier.

Crean should get out, now, if the opportunity is there.

[DataKing]

Don't forget that Self was an assistant at Kansas, under Larry Brown if I am not mistaken. He was an assistant on the '85 Danny Manning team too, I believe.

[KWhit]

I think Kansas should hire Jim Harrick.

:)