Deadspin
OK, Kansas fans, we give: After Saturday's first-half shellacking of North Carolina by Kansas, we can no longer deny you the proper admiration, even if your coach did break our Illini fan heart. Bill Self, just one week ago known as the guy who couldn't get past the Elite Eight, might be the most respected coach in the country right now. Which is why it's fitting that there are already rumors he might leave.
Kansas, of course, is one of the top four jobs in the country, but Self is from Oklahoma — remember, his first job, from back when he had his real hair, was at Oral Roberts — and Oklahoma State, led by eccentric multimillionaire T. Boone Pickens, might offer him $40 million for 10 years. Win or lose tonight.
After what he's accomplished at Kansas, it's time to make Bill Self one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball. If Kansas doesn't, then Oklahoma State certainly will.
The numbers may be far-fetched, but the buzz circulating throughout the Final Four is that Oklahoma State is prepared to offer Self a 10-year, $40 million deal that would include a $10 million bonus if Self remains in Stillwater throughout the contract's entirety. Most of that money would come from oil tycoon and prominent Cowboys booster Boone Pickens, who during the past five years has donated more than $230 million to the school for matters relating to both athletics and academics.
Sheesh: Honestly, poor Kansas. Every time they make the national title game, there's a chance their coach is lured away. Though we honestly can't imagine Self, after a Kansas loss tonight, saying, "you know, I could give a shit about Oklahoma State right now."
Tourney Talk, Then Contact Talk [Yahoo Sports]
Comments
That painting would look great next to my neon Elvis on black velvet.
That court is glossier than Jermaine Jackson's forehead
Which Gawker Artist painted that?
Is that a color-by-number?
Needs to be available at the next hotel/motel art fair.
T.Boone Pickens is the rich Texan from the Simpsons
Nick Saban is not impressed
Well there would be plenty of reasons for Self not to go:
a) It's a step down job.
b) He would have to come back to Allen Fieldhouse every other year.
c) Lew Perkins would pony up the dough if that huge contract is true.
d) Most Kansas fans really like his style of coaching and players.
We shall see how this soap opera story turns out.
Because throwing all that money at the OSU football team has worked out so well.
That looks like the cover of a crappy Sega Genesis game.
T. Boone Pickens is one extraneous "O" away from having the greatest crazy millionaire name in history.
Look forward to Bill Self telling me he's 40 and a man.
Billy Donovan would like to hear more about this exciting opportunity.
I love how we are now giving College coaches incentives to see a contract through to its completion.
/pittsnogle'd
Am I the only one who imagines Boone Pickens speaks like Foghorn Leghorn?
Bruce Pearl is also interested and is willing to talk to this Mr. Pickens.
@Carmen McFanzone: Kansas is so cheap that they hired someone from the Starving Artists Group to paint the coach's official portrait.
@Jason Lee's Karma Police: ...just glistening like Patrick Ewing in the 4th quarter...
Boone also goes by the nickname Slim.
"What in the wide wide world a sports is a goin' on here? I hired you boys to get some track laid, not to jump around like a bunch of Kansas city faggots!"
you know, I could give a shit about Oklahoma State right now
That's what Eddie Sutton used to say every night while sidling up to the bar at the Wormy Dog Saloon.
Bob Ross says he loves the happy sun in that picture.
Could I get a copy of that picture sans hairpiece?
@Big Daddy Drew: If all else fails, he'll pull the ol' Number 6 through all of Kansas
Wow, it looks so lifelike.
And the guy under the toupee does, too.
@Peter Cavan:
Most of the athletic budget goes to feeding Mangino.
If he took the money and left Kansas, that would be awfully Selfish.
That one was for you Jim Nantz!
@Peter Cavan: I hear they'll be selling prints at the Holiday Inn off the interstate this Saturday from 10-3.
@HebrewHammer: Or drives a convertible with steer horn hood ornament.
@HebrewHammer:
He probably owns a local barbeque joint too.
Sour Grapes Leitch
@Big Daddy Drew:
Don't get me started or we'll be reciting the entire script soon.
@obeymydog:
I certainly hope they remember the #6 dance.
@HebrewHammer: Add a little more 'aw, shucks' with some 'ya'll don't know nothin,' mix with energy speculation and you've got it.
What's up with all the hair piece references? The University of Illinois has never hired and never will hire a coach who may not be sporting is natural hair. This rule has been in effect for most of the early 80's to the mid 90's.
@Dead Wrestlers Society:
If Kansas wins tonight, is Nantz going to refer to it as being Self Served?
@UkraineNotWeak: i'm thinking he could not possibly pass up a Wizard of Oz reference.
Kansas follows the yellow brick road to the title.
@Dead Wrestlers Society:
For Memphis, it will probably be an Elvis reference.
@Dead Wrestlers Society:
After which Self clicks his loafers together and says there's no place like home?
I beg to differ, Oh Will. Bill Self's first job was as a low-paid assistant to Larry Brown at Kansas. That still doesn't outweigh coaching at your alma mater, but I'd think the probability that he'd never get back to the Championship by taking the job would weigh pretty heavily.
@UkraineNotWeak: Memphis certainly "Rose" to the occasion
If he left, it certainly wouldn't be a "selfless" act.
Really? Nobody?
Okay, I'll show myself out.
@Secret Identity: oh, I see what you did there. +1.
Every time they make the national title game, there's a chance their coach is lured away.
So are you suggesting Kansas threw the Missouri/Kansas football game this year?
Or some institution was spared offering Mangino 40 million...DONUTS!!
Take heart, Jayhawk fans: The last two teams to beat Villanova in the NCAA Tournament went on to win the National Championship.
T. Boone Pickens
He's the texan guy from the simpsons right?
[wiw.org]
@Rob Iracane: God rest the Wormy Dog's soul!!
Comment on this post
Reply by EmailLogin with your username and password below. Or comment on this post via email.
Forgot your username or password? New User?