New Contract For Self
Bill Self, the Kansas basketball coach who guided the Jayhawks to their first NCAA championship in 20 years, signed a 10-year, $30 million contract Wednesday.
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The deal had been in the works since April, when Self’s Jayhawks came from nine points down in the final minutes to beat Memphis in a thrilling title game and he subsequently turned down an offer to return to Oklahoma State, his alma mater.
Self led the Jayhawks to an amazing run in 2008, defeating Memphis at the Final Four in San Antonio. But even though they’re defending champs, doesn’t mean Kansas is one of the favorites in 2009. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bodog have established the Jayhawks as 15/1 long shots to win the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.
North Carolina (3/1) and Duke (6/1) each have better odds than Kansas, as well as Louisville (12/1) and UCONN (12/1). But even though they’re not one of the favorites, doesn’t mean Self and the Jayhawks aren’t ready to repeat as champs in 2009.
“I’m looking at it that we have some momentum off last year and we need to build on it,” he said. “We want to put ourselves in the championship game again as soon as we can. But getting the security is definitely a nice thing. Our coaches and I are very happy about the commitment the university has made to us. We want to make a similar commitment back.”
Bet the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship
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