Self Not Expecting Call For 2016 Olympics

newsOK.com

http://newsok.com/self-not-expecting-olympic-call/article/3702346

In the aftermath of the United States’ gold-medal performance in men’s basketball at the Olympics, Kansas coach Bill Self’s name has been tossed into the ring as a potential candidate to coach the U.S. team in the future.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has guided the U.S. to gold in the last two Olympics, has said the London Games would be his last at the helm.

But in Self’s view, he’s certainly not at the top of the list. When the question was asked on Friday evening at a KU rally in Prairie Village, Kan. Self smiled and suggested that a few prominent NBA coaches — including Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Celtics coach Doc Rivers — were more likely candidates. But yes, he said, of course he would listen if he got the call.

“They’re not gonna call, though, said Self, the Edmond native who played and coached at Oklahoma State. I think there’s a guy named Popovich and a guy named Rivers, and guys like that that probably have a better relationship with Dream Team type players than what I do.”

Krzyzewski’s success may have opened the door for another college coach to take on the challenge of guiding a team of superstars, but Self isn’t expecting to be next in line.

“It’s really flattering, Self said. But I don’t anticipate getting a phone call.”

Self and the Jayhawks are still just days removed from completing their four-game tour of Europe. The Jayhawks went 2-2 on the trip, including two straight losses in Paris, but Self still believed the trip was a beneficial experience.

“I don’t know if we came together as much over there as what I would have liked, Self said. But I’m not sure it’s possible. I tried to play 18 guys. But I thought we came together great in practice (before the trip).

“I thought the two practices prior to that, we did a lot of bad things and learned from it and got better.”

Self Not Expecting Call For 2016 Olympics

newsOK.com

http://newsok.com/self-not-expecting-olympic-call/article/3702346

In the aftermath of the United States’ gold-medal performance in men’s basketball at the Olympics, Kansas coach Bill Self’s name has been tossed into the ring as a potential candidate to coach the U.S. team in the future.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has guided the U.S. to gold in the last two Olympics, has said the London Games would be his last at the helm.

But in Self’s view, he’s certainly not at the top of the list. When the question was asked on Friday evening at a KU rally in Prairie Village, Kan. Self smiled and suggested that a few prominent NBA coaches — including Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Celtics coach Doc Rivers — were more likely candidates. But yes, he said, of course he would listen if he got the call.

“They’re not gonna call, though, said Self, the Edmond native who played and coached at Oklahoma State. I think there’s a guy named Popovich and a guy named Rivers, and guys like that that probably have a better relationship with Dream Team type players than what I do.”

Krzyzewski’s success may have opened the door for another college coach to take on the challenge of guiding a team of superstars, but Self isn’t expecting to be next in line.

“It’s really flattering, Self said. But I don’t anticipate getting a phone call.”

Self and the Jayhawks are still just days removed from completing their four-game tour of Europe. The Jayhawks went 2-2 on the trip, including two straight losses in Paris, but Self still believed the trip was a beneficial experience.

“I don’t know if we came together as much over there as what I would have liked, Self said. But I’m not sure it’s possible. I tried to play 18 guys. But I thought we came together great in practice (before the trip).

“I thought the two practices prior to that, we did a lot of bad things and learned from it and got better.”