ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Tuesday that Kansas men’s basketball head coach Bill Self reported Tuesday that Tony Bland was reported as assistant coach.
The controversial hiring is making headlines in the basketball community as Brand is linked to a 2017 FBI investigation, where he is involved in a bribery program targeting college basketball players.
Tony Bland is one of 10 people arrested after federal investigation
Bland is one of 10 people arrested in a federal investigation around bribery plans.
Later, he admitted to accepting a $4,100 bribe in a July 2017 meeting with financial advisers and business managers in exchange for retaining services when guiding players into professional players.
Brand, an assistant at the University of Southern California, pleaded guilty to one conspiracy charge. He was sentenced to two years of probation and was not sentenced to jail.
Last year, he was also hit by a three-year show.
Before joining the Washington staff, he worked as head coach at St. Bernard High School in Los Angeles. Brand was originally from Los Angeles and attended Westchester High School.
Kansas basketball makes various offseason changes
After Chase Buford worked in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, Bland arrived in Kansas. Former Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn is now also an assistant coach for Jayhawks after Norm Roberts retires.
Fred Quartlebaum was also replaced by Lexi Price as the new men’s basketball operator. Former player KJ Adams also joined the staff as a video coordinator.
Kansas has sought a rebound over the past two seasons. They have been unable to compete in the NCAA Championship every year since the Jayhawks held the National Championships in 2022.
This year’s Jayhawks will rely on five-star prospects Darryn Peterson, who may be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Sophomore forward Flory Bidunga is also ready for a year.
