Self Addresses Open OSU Job

Bill Self is quite happy at Kansas, and isn’t interested in becoming the next head coach at Oklahoma State.

Sean Sutton resigned under pressure as Cowboys’ coach on Tuesday after a disappointing 17-16 season. As of mid-afternoon, the KU coach said the Cowboys had not contacted him.

And they shouldn’t even bother.  

“If they did, I would strongly recommend they move in a different direction,” said Bill Self, who graduated from Oklahoma State in 1985 and was an assistant there from 1986-93. “I don't want to be presumptuous, but it could happen. I would tell them right now that they shouldn't based on my situation here and how much I like being at the University of Kansas."

While Self cares deeply about his alma mater, he is entirely focused with playing North Carolina in the Final Four and continuing the great tradition at Kansas. Self said he and KU Athletics Director Lew Perkins are in constant communication, and Perkins was the first person he spoke to after getting a phone call late morning from a fan who told Self he could be contacted about the OSU job.

"We've talked about a lot of scenarios,” Self said. “Lew and I talk all the time about anything and everything. We've said all along that when the season is over we're going to evaluate what's going on, but I'll let him answer any questions. I don't anticipate, just because this happens at this time, that we change our game plan. Our game plan is that when the season's over, Lew and I get together and make sure that this is a great fit for everybody and I certainly anticipate that being the case."

Self said any rumors or speculation about the Oklahoma State job won’t be a distraction at the Final Four in San Antonio.

“Not in the least, and it won’t be with our players,” Self said. “I will  visit with our players this afternoon about you guys asking them questions about this and go over everything, but I don't see that being a distraction for me at all."

Senior Russell Robinson echoed Self’s comments.

“Right now, we’re focused on playing in the Final Four,” Robinson said. “Coach loves coaching us. I can’t imagine him even thinking about that now.”

Senior Darnell Jackson knows Self  isn’t going anywhere.

“Whoever they get for the coach at OSU, I don’t think it’s going to be coach Self,” Jackson said. “I don’t think there’s going to be distractions for anybody. Our job is to get ready to play North Carolina, and when we go down there, we got to be ready.”