Kansas Coach Bill Self May Consider NBA Job in the Future

The allure of pacing up and down an NBA sideline is tempting to most (if not all) college basketball coaches. And Bill Self is certainly no exception. Per the Oklahoman: “One of seven people inducted in the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame on Monday night at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the Kansas University men’s basketball coach was asked if he would ever consider coaching in the NBA. ‘It hasn’t really tempted me because I haven’t had that many people talk to me about it,’ Self said. ‘But at some point and time, sure, I think it would (tempt me). It would be great to be able to match wits with the best athletes in the world, but I’m certainly happy where I’m at. I’m not saying I never would (coach in the NBA) but I’m locked in.’ Since Self wouldn’t owe Kansas a penalty if he leaves before his contract expires in 2022, would the ultimate job for the Edmond Memorial product be to coach the NBA team in the shadows of his hometown? ‘I wouldn’t say the Thunder,’ Self said. ‘They’ve done a remarkable job. They have a coach (Scott Brooks) who is one of the bright stars in all of basketball, at any level. That’s not anything I would think about.’ Self last fall signed a contract extension that guarantees he will make $52.2 million in total compensation over the 10-year period, not including incentive bonuses. Self, 50, will receive a $2.63 million bonus if he stays through 2015, another $2.63 million bonus if he stays through 2018. Self would receive an additional one-time $6 million bonus — $11.3 million total — if he stays at Kansas the next nine years. ‘Yeah (the money is good), but the biggest thing is you will never be happy as a coach unless you know you can attract good players,’ Self said. ‘I’m fortunate to coach at a place where the product is so good we’re always going to get, at least I hope so, some pretty good players. I love it at Kansas, and they love basketball there. I’ve been very fortunate to coach at such a tradition-rich place.’ Kansas won the 2008 NCAA championship and was the 2012 national runner-up. The Jayhawks are 300-59 under Self in his 10 seasons.”