KU’s Bill Self hires assistant Tony Bland, who admitted in 2017 to taking bribe
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas hires Tony Bland as assistant coach, replacing Denver-bound Chase Buford.
- Bland brings NCAA and NBA experience despite prior involvement in FBI probe.
- Self praises Bland's coaching record; NCAA penalties expired in April 2024.
Former Washington, USC and San Diego State assistant men’s basketball coach Tony Bland has officially been named an assistant coach on Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks coaching staff.
Self made the announcement Wednesday.
A day earlier, the KU head coach had confirmed the pending hire of the 45-year-old Bland, who worked for head coach Danny Sprinkle a year ago at Washington. Bland replaces Chase Buford, who has accepted a job as an assistant coach for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets.
Before spending one season at Washington, Bland was the head coach at St. Bernard High School in his hometown of Los Angeles. Before that, he was an associate head coach at USC from 2013-17 under coach Andy Enfield.
That’s when Bland became part of the FBI investigation into college basketball. Bland, according to the Associated Press, “was one of 10 total individuals who were arrested as part of the probe.”
“As part of his plea deal with federal prosecutors,” the AP story continued, “Bland acknowledged accepting a $4,100 bribe during a July 2017 meeting with financial advisers and business managers in exchange for directing players to retain their services when they entered the pro ranks. He received two years’ probation. Bland also received a three-year show-cause penalty from the NCAA that expired in April of 2024.”
Of Bland’s involvement in the FBI case, Self told The Star on Wednesday: “We know and feel good about everything.”
In a news release, Selt said: “Tony is a very, very talented young coach who is a proven winner. He was a very good player at Syracuse and at San Diego State and he played a big role in the success at San Diego State and USC as an assistant coach. I believe in him wholeheartedly, and our basketball program just got better with his addition.”
Of joining KU, Bland said in a release: “I’m beyond blessed to join the Kansas Jayhawks and work alongside coach Self. He is one of the greatest to ever do it, and his belief in me means everything. I’m excited to learn from him and work with the entire coaching staff.
“Kansas has the best fans in college basketball, and I can’t wait to pour my heart into this program and the Lawrence community, while working hard to keep Kansas Basketball at the top of the sport.”
The Trojans made the NCAA Tournament twice during Bland’s time with the program. While at USC he coached NBA players Jordan McLaughlin, De’Anthony Melton and Chimezie Metu. There were six players who earned all-conference honors while Bland was at USC
Bland spent the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons as an assistant coach on Steve Fisher’s staff at his alma mater, San Diego State. The Aztecs reached the NCAA Tournament both seasons and won the 2012 Big West Conference regular-season title.
Former San Diego State player Jamaal Franklin was a two-time honorable mention All-America selection in 2012 and 2013 and was the 2012 Mountain West Player of the Year when Bland was at SDSU.
Bland also coached NBA player Xavier Thames with the Aztecs. Six players earned all-conference selections when Bland was at San Diego State.
Bland played for two national championship coaches, in Jim Boeheim at Syracuse in 1999 and 2000, and Fisher at San Diego State In 2002 and 2003. Bland was part of teams that won 84 games and advanced to three NCAA Tournaments and the NIT.
Bland was a two-time Mountain West all-conference pick while at San Diego State. In 127 career games played, Bland started 95 contests and scored 1,368 points with 331 rebounds and 319 assists.
Following college, Bland was invited to the Indiana Pacers’ training camp and then went on to play in the United States Basketball League where he earned the league’s rookie of the year award. He signed a contract with the Sacramento Kings for the 2004 preseason. He later went on to play in Russia, the NBA Development League and in Europe.
Bland returned to San Diego State prior to the 2008-09 season to serve as the team’s head manager and completed his degree in social science. Additionally, Bland was a high school All-American at Westchester High in Los Angeles.
Bland will be joining a KU coaching staff that includes Self, Kurtis Townsend, Jeremy Case, Jacque Vaughn, Joe Dooley, Brennan Bechard, Doc Sadler and Lexi Price.
This story was originally published August 20, 2025 at 5:10 PM with the headline "KU’s Bill Self hires assistant Tony Bland, who admitted in 2017 to taking bribe."
