Money next year
-
Change is difficult, but sometimes necessary. KU Basketball hasn't advanced past the first weekend since 2018, excepting the National Championship. And, that, of course, must not be overlooked. In fact, Bill Self's tenure at Kansas should, of course, be celebrated. He's the winningest coach in KU history. At the same time, he should be admired for trying to adapt to the changing landscape when other tenured coaches retired.
However, Approxinfinity is right! Bill's production since our national championship has seriously waned. His pay far exceeds his production. And, of course, the college game has changed. It's apparent that Bill has been unable to adapt successfully to NIL and the transfer portal.
Based on his record since the implementation of NIL, Bill is overpaid at $10 million per year. (Player evaluation, player development, etc are specific issues for another time.) When the only person you could pay was the coach and his staff, it didn't matter how much coaches made. Now, his unusually high salary takes from the monies KU can pay players.
Bill has made plenty over his coaching career. Let me suggest that if he really wants another chance at another national championship (which I believe is why he is still coaching), have him reduce his own pay to $1 million next year (He could live on that.) and donate the rest to buying two additional good players. That's what $4.5 million each would get us.
Otherwise, let's salute him for being the winningest coach in KU basketball history and move on. An up and coming coach at much less than $10 million a year gives us much more payroll for that coach's roster. In the age of modern college basketball, I think KU needs to invest more wisely. (Approxinfinity's words).
-
To me the issue is it isn't just one thing Self is struggling with in the last 4 years. Roster construction with NIL and transfers playing right away has been an issue. Team culture and chemistry have been an issue. Health has been an issue for both players and the coach. Offensive scheme has been an issue for a LONG time. Defensive scheme has also started to pop up as a problem (though I do blame Hunter for most of that tbh). Player development has been an issue. Conference success, tournament success, double digit loss seasons. These are the outcomes. In the "year of the freshmen" we had the most highly touted and sought after one of the bunch. And while he had his moments, his production was nothing compared to about 5-10 of the other top freshmen. I'm sad to say I'm now on the side of I think it might be time.