When you look at the coaching fraternity, it takes one guy to leave and it sets off a domino effect.

It has already been a buy time for coaching changes. One school that doesn't have to worry about that is national champion Kansas. Bill Self turned down his alma mater Oklahoma State. Are you shocked or surprised? I never, ever would have believed that Self would say bye-bye to the Jayhawk Country. In Lawrence, Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk is one of the great programs in America. There is history and tradition galore on their side. They love Self now that he has that national championship, baby!

I know it is his alma mater, and if things were reversed it could have been a little different. If Self had Kansas as an alma mater, he might have left Oklahoma State. That is not a slight of the Cowboys, as I respect the program, but you have to look at what Kansas has achieved over the years.

Billy Ball happened in Florida with Billy Donovan. Now it is back in Lawrence with Bill Self.

What about Trent Johnson leaving Stanford for LSU? To me, that was a shock. I felt the Tigers and new athletic director Joe Alleva got a quality guy to take control of the program. Johnson did a great job at Nevada and at Stanford.

Now the intrigue happens at Stanford. I wonder what would have happened if Mike Montgomery waited a little longer instead of taking the California job. Montgomery could have returned to Palo Alto.

Now Monty will compete in the Pac-10 against the Cardinal. Stanford is one of the great schools in America, and it is a job that will coveted by many.

Travis Ford decided to stay at Massachusetts despite interest from LSU and Providence. The question is, how long will he remain on the Minutemen sideline. Ford will be one of the hot names in the world of coaching.

I compare Ford to Billy Donovan. Both guys know how to communicate, they have the magic touch of getting along with people. They also know a lot about the world of college basketball.

Massachusetts is fortunate, but you don't know how long that ride will continue.

College basketball's world continues to revolve. It doesn't take much time off, my friends.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.