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Fact and Fiction
Published: 4/3/2008 9:19 PM
Last Modified: 4/3/2008 9:19 PM

If coaches spoke truthfully about the validity of their names being tossed about for coaching vacancies, then it would be far easier to follow a coaching search.
But denial is not just a river in Egypt when it comes to this sort of thing and most coaches who protest vehemently at being listed as candidates are actually tickled pink because they know it can help get them a raise at their current jobs.
Nebraska coach Doc Sadler, by the way, just got an extension. He is 10 games above .500 after two seasons, just like the coach that Oklahoma State just ran off. Sean Sutton was 2-1 against Sadler, his former babysitter.
Word is, believe it or not, that Tennessee's Bruce Pearl has contacted OSU, perhaps smelling some of Boone Pickens' money from afar.
Also, UNLV's Lon Kruger has denied that he is a candidate for the OSU position, perhaps realizing that the Rio Buffet is not going to relocate to Stillwater. Or at least that would be my reasoning if I was in his position.
Most folks seems to think that OSU is targeting Bill Self, but Seth Davis of Sports Illustrated and CBS is going the other direction and touting Kentucky's Billy Gillispie as the fellow we should keep an eye on.
John Wooden, by the way, is available and he has the best credentials.



Reader Comments 10 Total
Arthur (5 years ago)
I don't know whether to laugh or cry. At this point I am merely befuddled at the names being hurled at the public via talk radio. The less pro-OSU stations usually throw names from D-IAA or D-II schools. Then the polar opposite bombards me with the assurance of Bill Self or Billie Gillespie.

Oddly enough, from my perspective, Bill Self's most recent video press conference is what left the greatest room for scrutiny, not that fact that T.Boone is "obviously" going to try to bankroll him, or the "illustrious" history of OSU(it's great but not as good as Kansas). His floundering about whether or not someone likes where they grew up left the door pretty open when he could have easily slammed it.

Not that either way really means anything but seriously do we have any shot at a coach like that? Anyone that thinks Self went directly from TU to KU please don't answer.
JEff (5 years ago)
Jimmie, great point about Sadler's record vs. Sean's. I had forgotten he was NU's number 1 asst for many years including those leading up to his head coaching stint where the Cornhuskers made the Elite 8, Final 4 and sweet 16, plus all those great recruiting classes he brought in. Too bad most all of the kids left or got kicked off up there.

You're right, though. It is EXACTLY the same.

Cheers!
Jimmie Tramel (5 years ago)
In most cases, a coach would not leave Kentucky or Kansas to go to OSU (a good job, but not as good a job as UK, KU or any combination thereof of those initials). But the x-factor is money. Does everyone have a price? That's the question that will have to be answered.
Arthur (5 years ago)
I'm quite sure money plays a factor. It does for everyone. Without delving into the trite, I would have to imagine KU is going to pay at least 2.5 mil per year to keep Self even without the possibility of bidding over us to keep him. That would seem to be the appropriate money given to a final four coach and if he makes it to the national championship, I sincerely hope he does for the big 12, I'm sure Kansas will realize they need to pull out their checkbooks in a big way because that would be appropriate.

However, have you seen the video of his press conference? Is this just my imagination or does he seem really nervous about answering the question about the OSU job and does he seem to really leave to possibility open when talking about liking where a person grows up?

I just need someone other than these two poles to give me some feedback. It all still seems so insane to even consider.
royowasso (5 years ago)
Sure, Wooden's available. But will Holder listen? You know he hasn't won a championship in 30 years and I'm not sure he can "saddle up"!!
Alden (5 years ago)
Question for the OSU folks. My computer has a virus, a bad one, and one solution blog said to just get another computer. How long are you going to let the T Bone virus taint a great school?
AG (5 years ago)
ALDEN - pretty simple - till we get a bigger donor.

When is OU going to get a better football coach?
Alden (5 years ago)
AG. Garth Brooks would be better, but his pocket may not be as deep as T Bone's, but it is pretty deep.

As to the OU coach, my sources tell me we are going to hang with Stoops until Gundy is available.
m (5 years ago)
OSU has not shot at Gillespie or Self. Money can't buy everything. On top of that, I'm sure KU has some big boosters that will step up if needed. Those guys want to win national championships, not just settle for making the NCAA tourney. Fans and the media need to come to grip with the fact that OSU is NOT one of "the jobs" to get. Its a good job that has had some success, but its not a superpower nor will it ever be.
Shrouded Llama (5 years ago)
The combo of the money and the history between OSU and Self as what might land him. I said MIGHT. At first, i gave it a 5% chance, but after hearing Self waltz around the question at his press conference, i say its 25%. If KU wins the whole thing tonight i'll move it up the 50/50. It'd be a lot easier to move to a less successful program that you love if you already have that trophy!
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Tulsa World sports writer Jimmie Tramel is a former class president at Locust Grove High School. He graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern State University with a journalism degree and, while attending college, was sports editor of the Pryor Daily Times. He joined the Tulsa World on Oct. 17, 1989, the same day an earthquake struck the World Series. He is the OSU basketball beat writer and a columnist and feature writer during football season. In 2007, he wrote a book about Oklahoma State football with former Cowboy coach Pat Jones.

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