LAWRENCE, Kan. _ Bill Self emphatically defended his Kansas basketball program, while also saying he could not comment about specific allegations that arose from a federal court trial, during a news conference Wednesday night in the media room at Allen Fieldhouse.
"When recruiting prospective student-athletes, my staff and I have not and do not offer improper inducements to them or their families to influence their college decisions, nor are we aware of any third-party involvement to do so," Self, KU's 16th-year coach, said several hours after adidas executive James Gatto, former adidas consultant Merl Code and former sports agent Christian Dawkins were found guilty in a New York courtroom of seven counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
"As the leader of the Kansas men's basketball program, I take pride in my role to operate with integrity and within the NCAA rules, which is a fundamental responsibility of being the head basketball coach."
After reading a statement, Self indicated he must "under NCAA rules and guidelines refrain from any further comment until all the inquiries are officially concluded."
That means he did not address any specifics from the trial, which at times focused on adidas' relationship in the recruitment of Silvio De Sousa and Billy Preston to KU.
Gatto was the only defendant charged in connection with defrauding Kansas. His former associate T.J. Gassnola testified he paid the family of former KU player Preston $89,000 and the guardian of current Jayhawks player De Sousa $2,500 for online classes.
Gassnola, a witness for the government, also testified he agreed to pay $20,000 to help the guardian repay a Maryland booster who gave him $60,000, but Gassnola never paid, he said. Gassnola also testified that neither KU coach Self or assistant Kurtis Townsend knew about the payments.
Self acknowledged the relationship between colleges and shoe companies such as adidas during his opening statement and again in a follow up question.
"I can say that we all know shoe companies have influence on all levels of basketball. They work hard to develop brand loyalty with top high school prospects, and they have some influence with them, which is totally permissible under NCAA guidelines, just like a high school coach could, an AAU coach, a trusted adviser, and especially, a parent," Self said in his opening statement.
"At Kansas, we've recruited and signed many players that wear athletic brands other than adidas on their grassroots basketball team. We've also recruited many players whose grassroots teams were sponsored by adidas who signed with other universities that were aligned with other shoe companies. So while these brand relationships can be a factor for some families during the college decision-making process, it is only one of many factors."
Self was asked if it was proper for a head coach to communicate with shoe representatives at all whether by phone call or text message. Some texts of Townsend and Self to Adidas reps were mentioned in the trial.
"If that is true, you have saved me a ton because you text and call me all the time. So why should I have a relationship with the media?" Self said of one reporter. "It would be a sad day that you have to control because you work here or you work there or you are an agent or a financial planner or you know that family really well or whatever that I have to limit my knowledge _ I have to limit my access to you and you to me _ because of that.
"I don't think you can regulate all those things nor should you have to. You should be able to have relationships and talk to people you want to talk to obviously in the proper way."
Self stood behind assistant coach Townsend, never addressing him by name in standing with his not commenting on specific parts of the trial.
"I have total confidence in all members of my staff, including the one you mentioned, and feel as strongly about that today as I did five, 10, 15 years ago," Self said.
Later asked if he envisioned any assistants being reprimanded, dismissed or suspended, he said: "That's a hypothetical because I don't know exactly everything moving forward. (If) you asked a question based on what I know then I feel totally confident in my staff without question."
Currently one aspect of the trial affecting KU is the fact De Sousa is being withheld from competition. He can practice but will not play in games until the NCAA and KU complete a look into his eligibility.
"It will be, from what I have been told, a joint effort with KU and the NCAA working hand-in-hand to come to a resolution based on truth," Self said.
Any idea of a timetable? "No, I haven't been in on those conversations. I was too busy hanging out with you guys all day," he joked of media who also interviewed him at Big 12 media day at the Sprint Center.
Self said he would not address this issue again "until all inquiries are concluded."
He said this won't affect his team's play or the way he approaches coaching the squad.
"I think part of this is also a test for us to better yourself as a coach. Sometimes it's hard to focus when there are a lot of distractions," he said. "Isn't that what we tell players all the time? I need to block out the noise, focus on my team to be as prepared as they've been to have a great season. I do think we have a team of great guys of character who also are pretty good basketball players who if things fall right have a chance to have a special season. We have a team of guys of great character who are obviously good players."
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