BREAKING: Kansas has officially hired Tony Bland as an assistant coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. This urgent development comes as Bland, previously embroiled in a major NCAA scandal, joins a team facing significant challenges.
Bland, who served as an assistant at Washington last season, was one of four Black coaches implicated in a 2017 FBI investigation that rocked college basketball. He was among ten individuals arrested in a bribery scheme, accused of accepting money in exchange for steering talented athletes towards specific business advisers.
In a significant turn of events, Bland pleaded guilty to conspiracy after admitting to accepting a $4,100 bribe. He received a two-year probation sentence without jail time, and his three-year show cause penalty expired last year, allowing his return to coaching.
This hire comes at a critical time for the Jayhawks, as head coach Bill Self is recovering from serious health issues. Self was hospitalized twice in two years for heart problems, including a procedure in July 2023 where he had two stents placed. His health remains a concern as the team gears up for the upcoming season.
Bland’s addition to the coaching staff follows the recent hiring of former player Jacque Vaughn as an assistant, reflecting Kansas’s commitment to building a competitive team despite recent setbacks. The Jayhawks are banking on five-star recruit Darryn Peterson, who has the potential to be the first overall pick in the next NBA draft, to lead them forward.
With the season approaching, Kansas fans are eager to see how this new coaching dynamic will unfold. The urgency of this development cannot be overstated, as the program seeks to maintain its storied legacy amidst ongoing challenges.
Stay tuned for more updates on Kansas basketball and the implications of Bland’s hiring in this evolving story.
