Hall of Fame: Bill Self turned out fine for Kansas basketball
By Stan Unruh
This is among the biggest days for Kansas basketball. We all celebrate Bill Self’s enshrinement in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame honors a lifetime of work in basketball. Bill Self deserves to join the many others connected to Kansas Basketball already enshrined there. We may not always agree with him or always like the way he does this or that during a game. However, we all love the Jayhawk head coach.
Self arrived in Springfield, Massachusetts on Wednesday in advance of all the festivities. Before he left Lawrence, he shared his thoughts on the induction, as described by writer Gary Bedore in the Kansas City Star. As a matter of fact, Self spoke more about those who made his career possible. Larry Brown, Eddie Sutton and others showed him the ropes.
He mentioned the 2008 national title game in San Antonio. That won’t surprise anyone. For many fans that is the top highlights of Self’s 15 seasons leading Kansas basketball. On the other hand, how many fans cussed Self that season after a one-point loss at Oklahoma State?
Driving down the highway the day after the loss, I tuned into a sports talk radio program. Many callers simply didn’t think Bill Self had what it took to lead Kansas basketball. They gave up on him. He didn’t lose again that season.
"I'm so excited to see so many people that have played a significant role in me being here." - @CoachBillSelf #17HoopClass pic.twitter.com/TWflUa4lEG
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) September 7, 2017
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It worked out better than those callers could have imagined. I’m especially glad Self is going in the Hall of Fame now rather than after a retirement. We need to celebrate him now and appreciate the success we all enjoy. Congratulations, coach Self. Thank you for making us proud.