URGENT UPDATE: The Kansas Jayhawks have officially hired Tony Bland as an assistant coach, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel earlier today. This decision comes as Bland, formerly an assistant at Washington, was one of four Black coaches implicated in the 2017 FBI investigation that threatened to shake college basketball to its core.
Bland’s hiring is significant given his past legal troubles. He was arrested during a federal probe into a bribery scheme that involved accepting $4,100 in bribes to steer athletes toward specific financial advisors. After pleading guilty to conspiracy, he received a sentence of two years’ probation but did not serve jail time. His three-year show cause penalty expired last year, allowing him to return to coaching.
Kansas is entering a challenging season. Head coach Bill Self was recently hospitalized for the second time in two years due to a heart issue, having two stents placed in July. Self previously missed games during the 2023 NCAA tournament due to similar health concerns. The Jayhawks are looking to rebound with a roster that includes highly touted prospect Darryn Peterson, a potential first pick in next summer’s NBA draft.
Bland’s addition comes at a critical time for the Jayhawks, who are also bolstering their coaching staff. The team recently welcomed former standout Jacque Vaughn as an assistant, enhancing their leadership as they prepare for the upcoming season.
This hiring raises questions about Kansas’s commitment to integrity in college basketball, as they navigate the ongoing fallout from the FBI investigation. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Kansas, not just for their on-court performance but also for how they manage these sensitive issues.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as Kansas prepares for a pivotal season.