Kansas Hires Tony Bland as Assistant Coach Amid Controversy
BREAKING: The Kansas Jayhawks have officially hired Tony Bland as an assistant coach, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel just moments ago. This decision comes in the wake of a controversial past linked to the 2017 FBI investigation that exposed bribery schemes in college basketball.
Bland, who served last season on the coaching staff at Washington, was one of ten individuals arrested during the federal probe. He admitted to accepting a $4,100 bribe to steer athletes toward specific business managers and financial advisers. Following his guilty plea for conspiracy, Bland received a sentence of two years’ probation but avoided jail time. His three-year show cause penalty expired last year, allowing him to return to coaching.
This hire comes at a tumultuous time for the Kansas program. Head coach Bill Self has faced health challenges, recently undergoing a procedure in July to place two stents in his heart. This marks the second time in two years that Self has been hospitalized for cardiac issues, raising questions about the team’s stability as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Bland joins a staff that has also recently added former player Jacque Vaughn as an assistant. The Jayhawks are looking to bounce back this season, relying heavily on five-star recruit Darryn Peterson, who is projected to be a top pick in next summer’s NBA draft.
As Kansas gears up for the new season, all eyes will be on how this coaching change impacts the team’s performance and the ongoing narrative surrounding the program’s past. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Bland can help steer the Jayhawks back to prominence in a challenging landscape.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
