Opportunity knocks fast
Conquering coaches quick to be courted
SAN ANTONIO - It has become one shining moment.
Literally.
Ask Bill Self.
In era of instant gratification, it is not, "What have you done for me lately?" It is, "Can you do it again for me tomorrow, generally for more money, generally much more money at a different place?"
Self's University of Kansas basketball team had just put together a remarkable turnaround in the final two minutes of regulation, overcoming a 9-point deficit on the way to a 75-68 overtime victory over Memphis to win the NCAA title Monday.
Self had part of the nets from the Alamodome baskets over his shoulder and was riding in a golf cart to the postgame interview when a reporter asked him if he had considered the possibility of returning to coach at his alma mater, Oklahoma State.
Self did his best to dodge the question, but the story line was clear. So what if he had won his first national championship; people wanted to know whether Self would consider pulling a Roy Williams and leave the storied Jayhawk program for a chance to coach at his alma mater.
It was that way a year ago when Florida's Billy Donovan had just won the second of his back-to-back national titles and he had to deal with the issue of whether he was going to be the next coach at Kentucky.
Yesterday, Self, working on less than an hour of sleep, was quickly asked about the future rather than the present.
Contract extension, switching jobs. It was all about the future.
"What I'd like to have is what everybody would like to have," said Self at the day-after press conference. "I'd like to have some security. When I say security, I mean years. So hopefully that will happen."
"Security" can mean different things to different people. Kansas gave Self a five-year contract extension last season and will pay him more than $1.6 million this season, with incentives tossed into the mix.
Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins feels he can keep Self.
"We can get it done," said Perkins last week. "I don't think he is going anywhere."
But Perkins was asked what happens if a "Godfather" offer comes from Oklahoma State and booster Boone Pickens that would more than double Self's current package.
Perkins smiled and shrugged, saying there might be a ceiling to what Kansas can offer. When does money not become the only issue?
Kansas has a rich basketball tradition that dates to the days when Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of the game, coached at the school. It can offer a lot, and with its third national championship, it has achieved a lot.
Oklahoma State is in more of a catch-up mode, and Pickens has made it clear he wants to raise the stakes.
Five years ago, Kansas had to deal with the loss of Williams, who spent 15 years in Lawrence carrying on the tradition before going home to North Carolina.
Now Self is being courted by his alma mater, although he says no official contact has been made.
The problem - if you can call it that - is that by beating Memphis with a mix of grit and determination, not to mention a game-tying 3-pointer by Mario Chalmers with two seconds remaining in regulation - the expectation bar has been raised.
Self made it to his first Final Four this season, and with a national championship now on his résumé, KU fans will expect another and another.
The Jayhawks will lose the core of a team that set a school record with 37 wins.
"I would anticipate losing five great seniors and possibly a couple more," said Self.
Self said he has no intention of leaving, but he has yet to hear what Oklahoma State has to say.
"I would answer the phone," he said. "Good gosh, I know all those people. I'm not going to lie and say I'm not going to answer the phone. But I certainly wouldn't answer the phone unless everybody at Kansas knew exactly what was going on.
"I've got the best job. I have tradition and history and I love the people I work with. It's a great place to recruit and my family's happy. I've got the best job, so I'm not evaluating anything."
Not yet.
In a few days, he might be evaluating an offer that he truly can't refuse.
One win.
One shining moment.
The joy of winning a national championship is still there, but the time frame when coaches can enjoy it without other intrusions seems to be over.
Mark Blaudschun can be reached at blaudschun@globe.com 