LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball is going to be moving forward into next season without a longtime member of its coaching staff, as KU announced Fred Quartlebaum will wrap up his time as director of basketball operations in June.
Kansas coach Bill Self announced the news on Thursday, May 29. It comes after more than a decade of Quartlebaum working in Lawrence, starting as a director of student-athlete development in 2013. Quartlebaum, present for the national championship in 2022, became the director of basketball operations in 2020.
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“Q has been with us for the last 12 seasons and has been very involved in many aspects of our program, but primarily as the liaison between our staff and community relations,” Self said of Quartlebaum. “He’s been the primary person in charge of working with the players and developing a culture within our program. He has done a fantastic job and will be missed. I’m excited for him and (his wife) Christy as they move into another phase in their lives.”
Quartlebaum, in a social media post on X, said in part: “Coaching has always been about relationships. It is about building something real and lasting with players, staff, and the communities we serve. Since starting my journey in 1992, I have had the privilege of coaching at the US Naval Academy, Towson, Holy Cross, Fairfield, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Iowa State, St. John’s, and finally, Kansas.”
Quartlebaum continued: “For the past 12 years, Lawrence has been home for my family and me. It is a place that will always hold a special place in our hearts. We have shared wins, championships, and unforgettable moments, but more than anything, it is the people and the connections that have meant the most. As I look ahead to the next chapter and support my family’s journey, I am filled with gratitude. Thank you to the fans for your passion, your support, and the way you welcomed us into the Jayhawk family.”
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According to Self, Lexi Price is being promoted to be the next director of operations for the men’s basketball program. She has been the office manager for the team since Dec. 2021. Self praised her organization and detail in the announcement of Quartlebaum’s departure, noting her new position will continue her role and add coordinator of athlete enrollment, housing and team travel.
Kansas is coming off of a season in which it went 21-13 overall. It reached the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Conference tournament and the round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament. Next season’s team will be led on the court by players like Darryn Peterson and Flory Bidunga.
Jan 4, 2020; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks director of operations Fred Quartlebaum enters the court before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Allen Fieldhouse.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball: Fred Quartlebaum to leave job on coaching staff
