Beware Self-centered coach, Kansas fans
Posted: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:33 PM
A day after bringing Kansas an NCAA basketball championship, coach Bill Self said he has no intention of leaving. But, he let slip, he would “like to have some security.”
If I were a Kansas fan I’d be very worried.
Self pulled this same act at Illinois five years ago. He said he had no interest in leaving and then chased the money being waved in front of him by Kansas. He just had to go, he pointed out as he weaseled out of his contract, because coaching the Jayhawks was his dream job.
But now Oklahoma State, his alma mater, needs a coach. The OSU athletic department just got a big wad of cash from alumnus T. Boone Pickens. And the Self-absorbed coach would like to have some security.
I’m not sure what he means by “security.” He signed a five-year contract extension before the 2006-07 season for $1.4 million a year. If he stays through the end of the deal in 2011, he’ll get $1.6 million a year.
By most standards, that’s a fair amount of security. I’m pretty sure most of you would accept a five-year guaranteed deal for that much money. I know I would. And all he has to do to keep getting new contracts and raises for the next 20 years is to keep putting competitive teams on the court, something he’s proved he can do. What’s more secure that that?
Apparently, it’s not secure enough for the Self-centered coach.
I’m sure he’s another guy who preaches teamwork and dedication and loyalty to his players. They buy into it, because coaches are real sincere when they give those speeches. Besides, the players can’t just check out and play the next year somewhere else. Only coaches can duck out of a signed commitment without having to sit out a year.
I’m guessing he’s gonzo, and when he leaves it will be because he had to think about his family. Plus, this is his dream job at his alma mater. He won’t mention that he broke a commitment to Kansas, because these guys never admit that greed and ego drives them.
When is the NCAA going to apply the same rules to players that it does to coaches? When is this governing body that preaches honor and integrity and fair play going to tell coaches that a contract is a contract? If a school fires a coach early, it has to pay his salary. If a coach leaves early, he pays no penalty.
Oklahoma State won’t care about all of that, because it will have its savior coach. Kansas will scream bloody murder, but they’re the ones who stole Self from Illinois when their previous coach, Roy Williams, slithered off to his “dream job” at North Carolina.
It stinks, of course. But that’s the way it is. Preach one thing. Do another. And laugh all the way to the bank.
