Dick Vitale Told Bill Self Not to Take the Kansas Job Because Following Roy Williams Was a Bad Idea
By Jason McIntyre
According to Bill Self’s sister, Dick Vitale told him not to.
"Shelly Self Anderson, Bill’s sister, remembers the period before his brother decided to leave Illinois for Kansas. “He was back and forth,” she said. “I know he changed his mind a lot. He was advised by Dick Vitale not to take it because he thought Bill couldn’t live up to Roy Williams.”"
Wonder if anyone is surprised by this. Who else is Dick Vitale is advising? Is he putting in a call to Frank Martin today about the South Carolina job? Based on Self’s returns so far, it’s a good thing he ignored Vitale’s opinion.
Sure, Self has had a few disappointing seasons in Lawrence – three 1st-weekend knockouts in the NCAA tournament – but he’s also won a title and now has Kansas back in the Final Four. In nine years in Lawrence, Self has guided the Jayhawks to five Elite 8s. [CBS Sports]