Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball will hire Tony Bland to join Bill Self's coaching staff ahead of the 2025-26 season, ESPN's Pete Thamel reports.
Bland was a member of Danny Sprinkle's coaching staff this past year at Washington during Sprinkle's first season as head coach, together contributing to a 13-18 (4-16 in Big Ten conference play) season for the Huskies. Before coming to Washington, Bland spent seasons as an assistant coach at USC from 2013-2017, and at his alma mater San Diego State from 2012-2013.
He also had a successful collegiate career, starring for Syracuse and San Diego State for postseason runs at both schools. A two-time Mountain West All-Conference selection, Bland spent a brief time playing for the Sacramento Kings in NBA preseason action, and played professionally in Europe, as well.
While at USC, Bland pleaded guilty to conspiracy for accepting a $4,100 bribe to refer athletes to certain advisers. He received two years probation while avoiding jail time, and served a three-year show-cause that ended last year, when Sprinkle hired him.
The Huskies now find themselves with an extra spot to fill on their bench going into the upcoming season, with higher expectations under Sprinkle heading into his second season at the helm. The roster has undergone a complete overhaul during the offseason, with 14 players departing due to graduation or transferring, and 13 new players coming in via the transfer portal or as freshmen.
Washington's men's team hasn't appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 2019. Back then, Mike Hopkins was entering his second of what would be seven seasons as the UW head coach, and were led by Matisse Thybulle, now a six-year NBA veteran.
Sprinkle hopes to turn around the subsequent years of disappointment and mediocrity this season in a crowded Big Ten conference. With the departure of Bland, Sprinkle's assistants on staff are headlined by Andy Hill and DeMarlo Slocum, also both in their second seasons with Washington, Quincy Pondexter, the only holdover from Hopkins's staff, and newcomer Tommy Connor.
Meanwhile, Bland's move to Kansas gives him a fresh start in a turbulent coaching journey for a blue-blood program that is undergoing big changes themselves. Both programs hope these changes bring renewed energy and success both in this upcoming season, and for years to follow.