Bill Self’s future with the Kansas Jayhawks is uncertain after the program’s early exit from the NCAA Tournament. Self’s Jayhawks were defeated by St. John’s 67-65 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Following the loss, Self cited health concerns and said he will consult with his family to decide whether to continue as head coach. If the Hall of Famer does step away, let’s take a look at five five realistic candidates capable of replacing him in Kentucky.
Top 5 Candidates Who Could Replace Bill Self At Kentucky
1. Ben McCollum (Iowa)
After dominating Division II with multiple national titles, Iowa’s Ben McCollum has carried that success into Division I in just his first season. He led the Hawkeyes to a 23-12 overall record while going 10-10 in Big Ten play. He has taken the program to Sweet Sixteen after defeating Clemson in the first round and No. 1 seed Florida in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Kansas will welcome his mid-west coaching roots and modern coaching style.
2. T.J. Otzelberger (Iowa State)
Iowa State’s T. J. Otzelberger has turned Iowa State into a contender. With the Sweet 16 encounter around the corner, Otzelberger is hoping for a deep March Madness run. Meanwhile, his coaching profile stands out and is similar to Self’s conduct at Kentucky.
With Big 12 experience and proven ability to lead a good program, Kentucky should list him among the candidates to interview should Self decides to walk away.
3. Todd Golden (Florida)
Todd Golden has taken a modern approach with respect to coaching in college basketball. He has incorporated analytics and after taking the Florida Gators men’s basketball to a national title, he is one of the brightest minds in college basketball.
His strong recruiting pedigree and NIL adaptability make him a perfect candidate to replace Self at Kentucky.
4. Hubert Davis (Former North Carolina)
Hubert Davis is looking for a new job after being fired by the North Carolina Tar Heels. Davis has suffered back-to-back first-round exits with the program, prompting his dismissal. Maybe a change in environment could bring back the coach who took UNC to the national championship game.
His experience at a blue-blood program, unmatched recruiting ability and familiarity with winning makes him the candidate Kentucky could go for.
5. Scott Drew (Baylor)
Baylor’s Scott Drew has already built a powerhouse with the Bears men’s basketball team. With Baylor, Kentucky gets a proven national champion, deep recruiting ties with Texas and extensive experience in the Big 12 conference.
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