It’s
no secret I see the world in orange and blue. So naturally, I think
Bill Self is the greatest coach in America. But I am not alone. Many
people with full technicolor vision also believe Self to be one of the
best in the business. I asked several Fighting Illini fans for their
stories about the coach, and you’ll see that everyone holds him close
to their heart for a different reason.
Just wanted to pass along a little story about one of the classiest
college basketball coaches in America, Bill Self. Bill Self and I
share the same birthday [December 27th] and on my birthday this year I
was in the hospital in Peoria for cancer treatments. My sister was
able to contact Bill and sent him a birthday card to sign and mail to
me. He took the time out of his busy schedule to make certain that it
got to me on time for my birthday. I'll never forget it and will cheer
him on no matter what team he is coaching.
-Bob
Normal, Illinois
Bill is deceptively effective! He doesn't often show the emotion
that Gene Keady and RMK do (though some of the athletes and officials
may dispute that), but he is an unparalleled tactician. We may fail to
execute, but no one out-coaches Bill Self!
-Ray
Coach Self in his nearly 3 years at Illinois has shown he has
skills that rank with the best in the country, and as a whole package
surpass our last two coaches, Lon Kruger and the Lou-Do, both of whom
were solid coaches. What really sets Coach Self apart from the rest of
the bunch is his communication skills, and more importantly he has
been able to translate this ability to communicate to his program.
Whether its recruiting, dealing with fans, school administrators, the
media or his own players, Coach Self has never failed to win the
confidence of everyone he meets. I think we are all justified in
believing he is the one that will finally awake the "sleeping giant"
of Illinois basketball if Kentucky or North Carolina doesn't steal him
from us. (I include this extra line as an example of the random
paranoid thoughts that loony fringe Illini fans immediately impose on
any successful U of I coach, just so the rest of the country knows
where these screwy rumors start :).
-LeatherneckIllini (and Self fan)
Bill is Hot and he turns me on when he gets all yelling and stuff.
That is all I have to say.
-Jen
Chicago, IL
Just look at how much our team has developed since he became the
head coach. He motivates the players and shows them how things are
done instead of going on a rant or throwing chairs (like Knight) plus
he's never embarrassed himself that it would even warrant a call for
an apology to the school (like Davis). By the way, I'm still on a high
after beating IU.
His overall record speaks for itself. He came to Illinois and took
us far in the Big Dance just after he brought Tulsa there.
A classy man, he's well respected among the media and other
coaches. I've never read anything about him ever saying anything
negative about the other team after either wins or losses. Our
recruiting efforts kick butt because of Bill. Players, not just from
the state, want to be at Illinois.
Not only does he look good for his age, but he's also a guy you can
hang out with and have a drink and talk sports and feel comfortable
doing it--believe me I know.
