Statement from Girod and Long + Full Comments From Bill Self Presser
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Dear Jayhawk Community,
During the past three weeks in a federal courtroom in New York City, the University of Kansas and our men’s basketball program have been the subjects of testimony and speculation during the trial of three defendants accused of defrauding three universities, including KU. The trial concluded today with jury verdicts of guilty on all counts of conspiracy and wire fraud.
First, we want to remind you of developments that predate this trial. In fall 2017, amid concerns about student-athlete recruitment, the NCAA instructed each Division I institution to conduct a review of its men’s basketball program to ensure compliance with NCAA rules. KU took the issue seriously and engaged outside counsel to assist our review. At the same time, KU has been working with prosecutors, including fulfilling all obligations of subpoenas issued to us.
During the trial, information was presented regarding a former KU student-athlete, a current KU student-athlete, and KU men’s basketball coaches. Some of the information we were aware of, and some is new to us. The new information needs to be evaluated and understood. We have already been in contact with the NCAA regarding trial developments and will continue to work with NCAA staff moving forward.
Two additional federal trials are set for February and April 2019. Thus, we remain unable to fully comment on the issues before us. By limiting our comments, we are able to protect the integrity of the federal matters and the work of the NCAA.
While that work continues, we remain fully supportive of our student-athletes, our coaches and our men’s basketball program. Coach Self and Kansas Athletics are committed to maintaining a culture of compliance, and we will continue these efforts. Kansas Athletics has been, and will continue to be, committed to excellence and integrity.
So, what now? First, we will await guidance from prosecutors as to next steps regarding the criminal matter. Second, once the Justice Department clears us to move forward, we will work with the NCAA to vigorously review new information presented during the trial. Third, we will continue to review the eligibility of all our student-athletes to ensure that they meet the eligibility standards of the NCAA and KU.
Finally, while we have made no decision regarding a long-term contract extension with our apparel partner, adidas, we continue to evaluate our options. There is no timetable for a decision. A strong apparel partnership is important and beneficial to all our student-athletes and our institution, and we will take great care in making the right decision for KU.
We look forward to updating you on these matters when it is appropriate to do so. In the meantime, as our men’s and women’s basketball seasons approach, we encourage you to continue to support the incredible young men and women in our programs.
Respectfully,
Douglas A. Girod Chancellor
Jeffrey P. Long Director of Athletics
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@BShark Interesting. I wonder what the deal is with needing clearance by DOJ in order to start reviewing the material revealed in the trial?
Maybe certified copies of everything? Or maybe some material not admitted is waiting for the next trials?
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@mayjay I saw that too. When I read that, I interpreted it as needing an assurance of non-prosecution.
But … as you mentioned … BUT, they could be seeking review of the material that didn’t make it into evidence. That’s kind of concerning too.
Also, so we’re saying we can’t comment until after the trials in the spring? Great. Continued silence.
Back to the non-prosecution thing. The guys just convicted are facing 2-4 yrs per sentencing guidelines. That’s concerning if they are squeezed for bigger fish.
I know @JayHawkFanToo mentioned that a guilty verdict when deem KU a true victim. But I don’t think so when it comes to the individuals. Meaning, I don’t think it protects individual actors (Self, KT, etc.) from prosecution as they could be deemed to have committed fraud too against KU. Same with players. Or the guardians.
Concerning stuff.
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Well, the material that didn’t make evidence is still public. I think they are just going to try and let it blow over and anyone wanting real answers is going to be
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Matt Galloway @themattgalloway
Self was asked whether he thinks his legacy has taken a hit. He said he doesn’t think it will be negative based on what he knows (but cannot yet say) but acknowledges perception is another factor. (1/2) 4:09 PM - 24 Oct 2018
Self: “I’m not going to sit here and defend myself because I know who we are and how we conduct our business and I’m proud about that. That has not changed at all.” (2/2)
Also, KU has announced Self will hold a news conference tonight at 7 p.m.
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I will guess all the pertinent information was presented and the one not admitted was deemed by the judge not to be relevant to the case at hand; whether this means is not relevant to other cases is yet to be determined.
More importantly, can individuals and/or programs be victims and co-conspirators at the same time? I will guess that a smart lawyer would have field day with the prosecutors trying to portray KU personnel or program as co-conspirators when the trial that just ended found then to be victims…but then, I have read of stranger things happening in courtrooms.
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@JayHawkFanToo KU was the “victim”, not the coaches or individuals … in the indictment. There were not “victims” (plural) when it came to KU. The indictment referred only to “universities” as the parties defrauded.
So, remember my position. How could KU be the victim if it was participating? I think the defense tried that strategy and lost, arguing that its employees knew.
That strategy loses if the “victim” was the school. The entity. Not its employees. I wonder if that carried the day?
This is worrisome to me. Prosecutors that look for headlines are a concerning bunch.
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This has been about headlines from the start. A big dog and pony show, nothing more.
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It will be interesting to learn how the jurors came to their decision; it might dictate the strategy for the next go around.
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Self: At KU we’ve recruited and signed many non-Adidas prospects and many Adidas-related prospects in high school have gone elsewhere. It is only one of many factors.
Self: My staff and I have not and do not offer improper inducements to them or their families to influence their college decisions nor are we aware of any efforts to do so. I take pride in this. Legal proceedings in NY have caused undue stress to our university and fan base.
Self: I understand there are questions left unanswered, but I am going to refrain from comment on specific issues from trial and focus solely on coaching my basketball team.
Self: I have full confidence in every member of my staff, including Kurtis Townsend, and I feel as strongly about that as I did 10 years ago.
Self on declarative statement he doesn’t give or is aware of improper benefits: I’m saying that we do not operate in that manner. I can’t make any direct statements referring to the trial. That would be something directed at how we conduct our business all the time.
Self: The way we go about our business hasn’t changed over the last 14 months. There has been no involvement from a presence on our campus that I’m aware of in any way that one could say is a third party coming to our campus for any reason.
Self isn’t going to comment on whether verdict is “a good thing” for Kansas: I don’t believe that’s my place to do so.
Self on Adidas relationship extension: That’s a question for our chancellor and athletic director.
Self on keeping team’s focus on basketball: When you’re in the eye, you don’t really feel as much of what’s going on outside of it, and I think that’s actually more common for young people than it is for adults.
Self: I don’t think I’m prepared to talk about future of shoe company involvement in recruiting, but the Rice commission has put forward some things that could be a positive for our sport moving forward. We may not understand unintended consequence of ideas put forth, though.
Self asked if he’s ever backed off a recruit based on something he’s heard: I’m sure it’s happened at some time, but there’s so many things said or rumored in recruiting. That doesn’t mean you cease recruiting them. You look into it. There’s a lot of ploys in recruiting.
Self asked if it’s proper for coaches to have friendships with shoe company execs: It would be a sad day that you have to control, because you work here or there … that I have to limit my access to you and you to me. I don’t think you can regulate all those things.
Self on his message to recruits concerned about trial: That’s a hard one. The things I can’t say to you are the same things I can’t say to them. All I can say is, is this what you heard or is this what was actually said? I won’t run from this with recruits.
Self said his initial response is “absolutely” as to whether he’ll address details of case when everything (future cases) wraps up, but it depends on what the powers that be instruct him to do.
Self quit reading media reports on all this two-plus weeks ago. If something has been said in trial, it deserves to be reported. Sometimes what’s been said in trial is misrepresented in story based on narrative or what headline sometimes gathers.
Self taking major issue with headlines versus what’s inside stories that have reported on this matter. “I will say this: If it’s been reported then it’s fair game, and I understand that.”
Based on what he knows, Self feels “totally confident in my staff.” Press conference is wrapping up, but Self extends it and says this is the last he’ll talk about this matter until everything involving corruption scandal is wrapped.
Self has a hard time believing NCAA will issue severe punishment “to make an example” out of a program, but said if severe punishment is warranted, it will and should be leveled. “Maybe that’s a very wholesome way of looking at it.”
Self: I really think part of this is also a test for us to better ourselves as a coach. Sometimes it’s hard to focus when you have a lot of distractions. Isn’t that what we tell our players all the time? Well, now I need to listen to what I tell our players.
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This was great.
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Bill Self said, "As the leader of the Kansas men’s program, I take pride in my role to operate with integrity and within the NCAA rules, which is my fundamental responsibility of being the head basketball coach."
This is exactly as I have suggested to be his job, and my expectation of Self as the coach.
And my suggestion was mocked. One poster mocked the concept calling me “Mr. Integrity” and likening simple honesty derisively to “Jesus on the cross.”
So mock Bill Self. I’m waiting …
He obviously agrees with me. You see that word “integrity” he mentioned? That important word that he used?
I’m sorry, where did you hear that word? That “integrity” word? Anyone?
And following rules, as he stated? As being his “fundamental responsibility”?
Try twisting that into something warped.
Further, how many here have professed that all CBB is dirty, that you have to be dirty to survive, that demanding integrity is asinine, that the entire thing is crooked, that everyone pays players, that how could we expect to recruit and make FFs if we didn’t cheat? That has been the constant drumbeat around here.
Self’s comments fly in the face of that logic, it would appear.
Self has gone all in from his end. He says he’s clean. He says that his program is clean.
Now, of course, the issue is, “what is the truth”?
@BShark @KUSteve @Kcmatt7 @mayjay @Woodrow @cragarhawk @Crimsonorblue22 @kjayhawks @KirkIsMyHinrich
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@HighEliteMajor “Further, how many here have professed that CBB is dirty, that you have to be dirty to survive, that the entire thing is crooked, that everyone pays players, that how could we expect to recruit and make FFs if we didn’t cheat? That has been the constant drumbeat around here.”
Well, I haven’t mocked you for standing up for integrity. And I do not remember ever complaining about poorer recruiting classes. I do remember, however, that I was belittled by you, and others, for saying I would still be satisfied as a fan if KU had a lesser accomplished, but clean, program because of my pride in the team and staff. You belittled the notion of being satisfied with not winning championships, and discounted my contention that observing the growth and maturity of the players as players and as young men (Traylor as a perfect example, whom you would have replaced at KU with a better player) was equally as satisfying to me as winning championships. Do you remember those threads (lost in the purge, I believe)?
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@mayjay I just included those that were part of the discussion, including those like @cragarhawk and @Crimsonorblue22 that supported the concept. You never mocked integrity. And I never, ever stated or implied that running a clean program was something I would compromise. Ever. I did take issue, as my opinion, that I’m not satisfied when we don’t get to FFs and win NCs. I’m not an enjoy the ride guy. But don’t confuse that with the “clean” program thing.
Have you actively supported the concept of integrity in your posts? Not saying that means anything, just curious as I don’t recall?
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@HighEliteMajor My apologies. I did not mean to imply that you were advocating championships over clean. That is why I emphasized the word “satisfied” in both my statement and your dissatisfaction with that satisfaction I was expressing.
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Those discussions were quite lively …
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@HighEliteMajor (You edited and added a question while I was posting mine. This is the answer to your last para.) Yes, that has been my philosophy as expressed from my first post here on “Why I am proud to be a Jayhawk.” And that whole discussion I just referenced in the above post included my emphasis on clean. It may have been in the context of the UConn vs KU thread where I said you cannot separate the sanctions and failures out of the UConn record when you are asking if we would trade, and I was unwilling to accept taking the dirty with the wins.
I also expressly stated that I was a huge Self fan, but only so long as I can respect him. After that, my respect for the players will keep me as a fan, but I won’t be as proud of the school.
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@HighEliteMajor Here is a thread I created after the UConn stuff came out this past spring. Called “Back to HEM’s question.” Not sure if you were in on that one.
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Alright KU fans, we are literally all on the same team here. We all love our Kansas Jayhawks until death. I know this is a life long fandom for me. I’m certain it is for every one of you as well.
Let us take what Bill Self says and give him the benefit of the doubt here. When the evidence about Townsend and Self got released I felt the pit of my stomach drop. But nothing was proven against KU or the coaches. I also do not believe Coach Self to be a liar. Do any of you??
Didn’t think so.
Let us stop fighting amongst ourselves about this too ok? We all have very valid opinions and we all love our boys and the coaches.
And for gosh darn darn, lets just see how all this plays out before we all go and act like the sky is falling because our favorite team is in jeopardy of being given the death penalty for having illegal and corrupt recruiting deals done under the table down the back alley of the seediest bar in town.
In other words, chill the fuck out people. Everything is going to be fine.
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It’s fairly obvious at this point that Self is pretty much saying he’s clean, which means if otherwise comes out he’s most likely done. Now I don’t believe SDS getting 2500 for online classes when he already sat out several games will lead to us vacating anything from last year. Self continuing to sit players under scrutiny while other coaches play them, looks positive for integrity IMO. The NCAA has already said they are waiting to see all that’s found in these FBI cases before they move with there own investigation, it could be years before that path is even followed.
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@HighEliteMajor sadly, doesn’t look like many believe him. I still want too!
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Anybody read Mellingers article?
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@HighEliteMajor We have a basketball game tonight. We have a pretty good team. All of our transfers that you complained about last year are all now eligible to play. We have two 5 star freshman guards ( Dotson/Grimes) that are pretty good.We also got a big guy in the middle named Dave McCormick. BTW, LeGerald Vick came back for his senior year. Dedric Lawson was actually named to the pre season All American team.
God has a sense of humor, and it seems that he defies those of us who purport ourselves to be the most self righteous. I don’t mind being called a mindless Pollyanna one bit. I’m going to continue to root for KU, and Coach Self. As for the rest of this process, I’m going to allow it to play out, and if it comes out there were things that were done wrong, then I’ll feel bad. No sense in borrowing trouble. As for me, I’m going to enjoy some basketball tonight!
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I thought Bill chose specific wording. He is confident in how his staff operates. That is the best line of the day. Same things going on as always. They never discuss numbers with anyone. They may help find a parent housing, but they won’t know the details or the amounts of anything. They won’t “offer” anything. But maybe they have relationships built with good people.
This didn’t change the KU basketball program or college basketball.
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Crimsonorblue22 said:
Anybody read Mellingers article?
I did now…
WOOF.
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@Kcmatt7 I think the text reads differently. He didn’t leave room to wiggle.
Bill Self went all in - "When recruiting prospective student-athletes, my staff and I have not and do not offer improper inducements to them or their families to influence their college decisions, nor are we aware of any third-party involvement to do so."
The last part is obviously the most significant. He said “we.” So neither he, nor his staff, have any awareness of any “third party” offering “improper inducements … to influence their college decisions.” This is very broad. And it is very “all in.”
Again, I may be too nervous over this, but if the prosecutor has his eye on a prize, and he sees this statement, and perhaps he has a bit more evidence than came out in this recent trial …
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@HighEliteMajor I read it all as very vague. As long as he doesn’t know hard numbers he will always have plausible deniability.
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@Crimsonorblue22 I read Sam’s article. Typical stuff from the Star. I also saw a article from someone from Sports Illustrated that basically said that since Silvio has to sit out that Self should have to sit out as well. Of course it was retweeted and commented on by many media people agreeing with him.
Hopefully Self can do exactly as he said in his presser last night and block out all the noise and not let all of this become a distraction.
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Woodrow said:
@Crimsonorblue22 I read Sam’s article. Typical stuff from the Star. I also saw a article from someone from Sports Illustrated that basically said that since Silvio has to sit out that Self should have to sit out as well. Of course it was retweeted and commented on by many media people agreeing with him.
Hopefully Self can do exactly as he said in his presser last night and block out all the noise and not let all of this become a distraction.
That guy is a huge douche bag. Wrote a big conspiracy piece on the Patriots with no evidence at all and worked at the absolute trash rag Detroit FreeP before that so that really tells you all you need to know about him.
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@Kcmatt7 I guess it’s hard for me to see any vagueness in his statement. This is about as clear a denial as he could make.
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@HighEliteMajor I am getting nervous. Complete agreement with you and @JayHawkFanToo in the same week.
Maybe there is hope for our world after all. Or, maybe it is a sign of Doom…
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Seems like a direct denial of him or his staff having done or known of anything wrong doing. Where he leaves the door open is where everyone should - I don’t know what others (3rd parties) are doing behind our backs. Bill has a good track record when he finds out (or when it becomes public if you’re cynical)there is an issue, he’s always pulled a player with eligibility issues.
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HighEliteMajor said:
Bill Self went all in - "When recruiting prospective student-athletes, my staff and I have not and do not offer improper inducements to them or their families to influence their college decisions, nor are we aware of any third-party involvement to do so."
You know I still remain supportive of Bill. However, Bill isn’t “all in” unless he makes those statements under oath of a courtroom. Public statements do not carry a threat of perjury charges.
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dylans said:
Seems like a direct denial of him or his staff having done or known of anything wrong doing. Where he leaves the door open is where everyone should - I don’t know what others (3rd parties) are doing behind our backs. Bill has a good track record when he finds out (or when it becomes public if you’re cynical)there is an issue, he’s always pulled a player with eligibility issues.
Yes… this is where I feel some comfort with knowing a bit about how our compliance system works. It works all the way “backwards” through the recruiting process. So… coaches and staff advise “third parties” that they are required to report them if they slip up and tell them about unethical practices. At least, that is what I’ve been told.
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@HighEliteMajor Denial of one of him or his staff directly breaking NCAA rules or having evidence of him or his staff asking someone else to break the rules.
Plenty of room for winks and nods in this gray area.
Maybe Bill knows a landlord he can introduce a recruits parents to. Maybe that landlord is running a one time only special for this nice property in Lawrence. Maybe Bill knows the local Chevy dealer. And the Chevy dealer is offering a $5 down and no payments for 18 months lease on a Dodge Charger. Maybe Bill knows a guy who is looking for a new personal assistant to take care of his dog during the day. Maybe that job pays surprisingly well.
But of course, Bill didn’t ask that person to provide those benefits, so how in the world could he be “aware” they were offered some sort of deal?
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@Kcmatt7 I got a ton of confidence after reading Coach Self’s comments. He isn’t worried a bit. I loved the maturity he showed - this wasn’t a Stubby Miller shi* fit. At some point, we’ll know the story, and i am not going to condemn anyone until that time.
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@Kcmatt7 I really hate to belabor this. But his statement is unequivocal. There no room for winks or grey areas in the statement I quoted.
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@HighEliteMajor Ok that is fine if that is how you interpreted it.
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Self nailed the public relations piece yesterday. He needed to so he wins the day.
This wasn’t like Urban Meyer’s situation. I don’t think the media will be able to run wild with his press conference although some have attempted to.
Today we have a game so biz as usual
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Either the programs is squeaky clean or it has plausible deniability with many, many, many layers of separation/insulation from the actual money men that make it impossible to trace back to the program.
I guess at my age I have seen enough of this type of thing in all aspects of society and I have become somewhat of a cynic.
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Would Girod and long back Self if they weren’t 100% sure of his facts?
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Just getting a chance to listen to the whole thing. Self was very direct and basically begged for questions, give me your best shot type attitude is what I saw. Definitely impressed how he attacked this head on.
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BeddieKU23 said:
Just getting a chance to listen to the whole thing. Self was very direct and basically begged for questions, give me your best shot type attitude is what I saw. Definitely impressed how he attacked this head on.
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I was wanting opinions
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@Crimsonorblue22 I think they would back him no matter what unless he did something truly egregious. Look at what Urban Meyer did and Ohio St stood by him. Hall of fame coaches do not grow on trees. Think about the amount of money Self earns the school. There is no way they cut ties without unless they have too.
