Guess who was a candidate in 1990?
Newspaper archives are one of the funnest rides you can take. I digging around through old stories Friday morning, trying to figure out how soon Eddie Sutton’s name popped up in the search after Leonard Hamilton resigned to go to Miami. The answer was very soon.
But that’s not the most interesting thing I found.
Let me explain. It became apparent that Sutton was the No. 1 candidate back in 1990, and years later Jack Hartman, the Kansas State coaching legend and Henry Iba disciple, told me he and some other ex-OSU players had to convince then-AD Myron Roderick that Sutton was the right choice. They were right, of course.
But on the eve of Sutton’s hiring, another candidate emerged, at least in the media. A 27-year-old OSU assistant. Bill Self.
The Oklahoman’s Mike Baldwin reported back in April 1990 that Self was receiving serious consideration. For the record, others joining Sutton as candidates were OU assistant Jim Kerwin, Illinois State coach Bob Bender, Arkansas assistant Scott Eckard and Arkansas-Little Rock coach Mike Newell, who in the middle of the OSU search took the Lamar job.
Self in 1990 was not so far removed from his OSU playing days under Paul Hansen. He was the Oklahoma high school Player of the Year in 1981, then played at OSU from 1981-85. Self was a graduate assistant under Larry Brown at Kansas for one year, then coached four years on Hamilton’s OSU staff.
In the same way that a young Mike Gundy had support for the OSU football job in 2000 (Les Miles was hired instead), some in power at OSU saw a spark in Self.
“I don’t know what my chances are, but I feel I’m ready,” Self told Baldwin back in 1990. “I think I’m a very capable recruiter and was taught by one of the very best in recruiting (Hamilton). It’s a delicate business. As far as Xs and Os go I was under one of the best in Larry Brown.
“My coaching style would be exciting to fans. I feel the game of the ’90s is up-tempo, pressure basketball, but my teams would be sound, well-drilled fundamentally. Another key factor is motivation.”
These days, Self doesn’t have to politic for jobs or make a case that he would know what he’s doing. These days, Self has to fight off rumors about his interest in jobs.
In 1990, only three Division I head coaches were in their 20s: Niagara’s Jack Armstrong (27), St. Francis’ (N.Y.) Rich Zvosec (29) and Wagner’s Tim Capstraw (29).
Self certainly fought for the OSU in 1990. He had his ducks lined up. “Myron Roderick was 21 when he got the wrestling job at OSU, Bobby Knight was 24 when he got the job at Army and Rick Pitino was 25 at Boston University,” Self said. “I’m very young, but I’ve gained experience at a young age.
“The situation I’m in, me being a former OSU player and me being a coach here the past four years, is why I’m being considered. I know there are numerous qualified applicants. I’m sure everyone will rally around whoever is named.”
Well, that certainly came to pass. Sutton was named coach and kept Self on staff; some said that was one of the conditions of the job, that whoever was hired had to retain Self. Self turned down an assistant’s position under Hamilton at Miami.
Here’s what Self said then: “I’m an Aggie and will always be an Aggie. I feel I’m qualified to do the job, and it’s something I’ve always dreamed about, being the head basketball coach at Oklahoma State. It’s a special place. Whether I ever become head coach, it will always be special to me.”
Well, aren’t those interesting words? I don’t think Self is going to be the next OSU basketball coach. In 1990, he couldn’t dream that he would one day be the Kansas coach, officing next to Allen Fieldhouse and coaching on the court where Wilt Chamberlain and Danny Manning played.
But again, very interesting words.
Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment