This one’s been a long time coming…
The way overdue departure of Kansas mens basketball coach Bill Self.
Self’s already squeezed big bucks – many millions – from the tiny midwestern burg of Lawrence and University of Kansas. Along the way, some would say, he’s lied and cheated his Jayhawks way into a historic win-loss record for the school.
Not to mention, humiliating his family by engaging in a high profile extramarital affair with a well known Lawrence businesswoman that became the talk of the town. Resulting in him getting booted from the family manse and having to hole up in a high end condo for months until he could schmooze his way back into the family.
All while Self’s wife and kids – his son playing for the KU team he coached – suffered the consequences via public shame as he stumbled around the town in his fabled hairpiece.
Meanwhile, rumors that Self might return to his alma mater Oklahoma State or take a big bucks coaching position in the NBA swirled.
What was he waiting for? More Final Fours? Another national championship?
All of that said, KU fans and Lawrencites could not have cared less about Self’s romantic transgressions. Let alone the sneaking suspicion that many of his blue chip recruits well might have been ill gotten gain.
Nope, Self’s winning record with the Jayhawks gave students, fans and locals a reason to believe that their otherwise small time lives in flyover country actually mattered.
You know, to the people on the coasts and in larger, arguably hipper cities that routinely fell prey to Self’s highly rated teams. He put KU and Lawrence on the map for something besides suffering a massacre and burning of the town by a rogue Confederate guerilla during the Civil War.
However, we now know that Self’s Jayhawks – slice it and dice it as you may – have been big time cheating.
And those chickens have been coming home to roost the past two seasons – especially the one just ended – disintegrating Self’s previously seeming above board invincibility.
In any case, Self’s kids are now grown and there’s plenty of moola to share with his long faithful wife. With even more to come depending on where he decides to relocate his rug.
So why the wait? Time’s a wasting.
What high profile celeb would want to bump around in a tiny town where everybody knows your foibles? And while waiting for the NCAA or whoever to investigate KU basketball?
And chances are that even the sports media suck ups in Kansas City and Lawrence could turn hostile depending upon how KU’s transgressions unfold.
It’s not their style – they didn’t get into the sports worshipping racket by accident. So maybe they’ll give Self the same pass North Carolina gave his predecessor Roy Williams.
Guess we’ll see, but it looks to me like the handwriting’s on the wall for Wild Bill Self to exit, stage left.
Isn’t that what the Scribe predicted?
It was joyous to wake up yesterday and learn that ku had suffered a humiliating defeat. 🙂
Self’s toupee needs to be replaced … it’s showing wear.
Allow me to tell you that Self’s rug is a state of the art appliance.
In his earlier years at KU, many of the hard core fans noticed him tugging at it and slight imperfections.
No mas.
That little animal thingie is the best that money can by.
Come to think of it, the real mystery is who trims up his real hair. Shouldn’t be too terribly hard to find out UNLESS he has someone come to his house to avoid prying eyes.Come to think of it, I’ll wager my hairdresser souces still know.
Scribe is dead along with all of his hair brained ideas. Self’s not going anywhere. Why the constant barrage on all things Self, KU, and Lawrence? It’s not like they’re the KC Star or anything.
Funny guy!
Quick question: is “Feto” pronounced “Fay-toe” of “Fet-oh”?
FEE-TO: Free, Easy, and Totally Obnoxious
Wow!
Now that’s what I call a self esteem problem!!!
Not shocking that kU had a subpar year (by their arrogant standards) once the Adidas money spigot was shut off, and all the bad press began. And it’s not even close to being over.
Meanwhile in the NCAA tournament, the Taters (humiliating first round face plant for the conference champions) and kU fail to make it out of the first weekend. In fact, only one team from the supposed basketball powerhouse conference known as the Big 12, make it to weekend #2. Texas Tech of all teams. LOL. Meanwhile, in the “football only” conference..the $EC has 4 teams in the Sweet 16. My how times have changed.
It does make for an interesting proposition, Guy…
And I agree, the cloud that’s hovering over KU could make for a very uncertain future.
Is this anamous over one bad season or just your perpetual Self/KU hard on? Imagine if he was a sports contributor to the Star; blood would shoot out of your eyes, mid aneurism.
Now, now, Paul…
I realize you have a major schmooze with KU and Self based on many years of cashing in big time by helping him and the school with various moves.
So while I’m imagining, I can’t help but imagine what would shoot out of your sundry orifices were you to lose this precious, wildly popular account. So it makes total sense that you would want to defend him.
But no, in answer to your question, this is not because he had one “bad” season.
Rather because it looks like maybe years of behind-the-scenes, back door illicit recruiting deals may be catching up[ to him and KU. And of course, “everybody” else may do it, but how many wrongs does it take to make a right?
Wow admin, way to put Paul in his place. Albeit, you speak the truth.
Guess I’m late to this party.
Not here to berate your ultra-patronizing “small time lives in flyover country actually mattered” blast, though it is revealing.
Rather, it’s your ludicrous assertion that Self put Lawrence on the post-Civil
War map. Actually, I believe a certain Danny Manning already did that, and before him a certain Wilt Chamberlain, not to mention Gale Sayers and ‘Phog’ Allen. Hell, James Naismith himself put the place on the map.
The one thing I kinda agree with is the fact that Self’s time in Lawrence is getting more limited. With only one genuine championship to crow about during his time here, people are getting impatient. When he came on board in 2004, we expected more by now.
Interesting, Rick…
Maybe I misspoke, but I don’t think Self “put” KU and Lawrence on the map – he is the one keeping it there the past however many years.
Manning, Wilt and others are history…Self is today, now.
It has to be awkward for him, his wife and kids, running around in a tiny fishbowl where all of his misdeeds are known – if accepted. Who needs that?
In a larger town, they could largely disappear.
And maybe he just wants to cut loose and enjoy the (romantic)O fruits of his labors.
He is after all, a jock (by any other name).
And what jock with zillions in the bank and growing doesn’t want to reap those rewards in terms of cars, fast women and whatever else the “good”life entails?