A 34-point loss seems to be the straw that has broken the camel's back for Jayhawk fans. With Kansas falling to BYU in Provo 91-57, tied for the largest deficit under head coach Bill Self, fans are starting to circle, something Self has experienced before at KU.
Self's postgame press conference worried fans as he is talking about how the team just needs to get away from each other and bonding just hasn't happened yet. It is February and they have had almost an entire regular season to bond going back to November, so if it hasn't happened yet, it won't happen at this point.
With the losses piling up and Kansas on the edge of falling out of the rankings, fans are starting to stir and talking about getting Self out of there, either firing him, or having him retire. This is now the second season in a row Kansas has fallen from its usual high graces and fans are happy about it.
Bill Self next in line of great coaches soon to retire. He's tired of the bullshit too
— stephen (@Shrimp_Pimp1206) February 19, 2025
It seems pretty clear that Self is tired of it, and maybe that is what is trickling down to his team not showing an effort either. Saying that the team just needs to take time away from each other really isn't a good look.
Is Bill Self going down the same path as Saban?
— AW (@threadstoneGA) February 19, 2025
Looks like he can’t compete within the new portal and NIL rules. The playing field is suddenly even. @KUHoops@KUAthletics
Maybe Self can't compete, but for a coach of his caliber, at least Saban for the most part went out on a good note, it doesn't seem like Self would go out on a good note at this point if he retired or was fired at the end of this season.
Bill Self needs to look at his staff that is recruiting players, high school and Portal. They are not evaluating very well. KU basketball has sunk to an unacceptable level. Staff changes should be considered.
— Rusty Hilst (@rhilst) February 19, 2025
The more the losses pile up, the more fans are going to want to see a change, especially for a program that is so accustomed to winning all the time year in and year out.
Bill Self needs to retire. It’s been a great run but he can’t seem to win in the new NIL world. It sucks, but NIL has totally ruined the college sports scene #kubball
— Eric Goodman (@SantaFeChico) February 19, 2025
If Self is going to leave Kansas, he should just retire rather than have a long legacy end with him being fired. Fans can blame NIL all they want, but Self's resume and his history of winning should be enough to bring players in and this team was ranked No. 1 at the start of the season. The talent is there, the Jayhawks just can't figure out how to put it all together.
Tell Bill that I will help him write is resignation letter…
— Brent (@bdhills) February 19, 2025
There might be a line for that.
to me it’s not a bill self problem it’s a player problem. they’re cashing checks still so it doesn’t matter how they play. NIL has ruined college basketball https://t.co/poCZCqHhvs
— lauren wolfe (@lwolfe2) February 19, 2025
Could NIL truly be the problem? The accusations that Self paid players in the past when he shouldn't have seem to be what NIL is. It is a more even playing field now, but it is all about who Self brings in, and it seems like the team he has brought together can't seem to play like a team, even in February.
You just come to expect a little more from this team. I had given Bill Self a little grace last year. But not this one.
— Geoff Long (@GeoffLong33) February 19, 2025
One down season could be an anomaly, but two seasons in a row where the mighty Kansas Jayhawks, a blue blood in college basketball, have fallen seems like a pattern. It seems like it is either that Self can't keep up, or his players just don't have the fire that a normal Bill Self team has. Either way, fans could be ready to see the Bill Self era end in Lawrence.