The job of reconstructing Baylor basketball started Saturday, with former coach Dave Bliss meeting with the Bears players and advising them to remain in Waco.

Bliss told ESPN.com that he spoke with every member of his former team, explaining to them why he resigned on Friday. Bliss offered his resignation after school investigators discovered violations within his program involving improper financial aid and drug tests that were not properly reported.

ESPN.com has learned that Baylor president Robert Sloan will meet with the team on Monday to discuss the school's self-imposed sanctions, as well as the turnover in the coaching staff, the search for a new coach and the options now available for the players.

During Friday's news conference to announce the resignations of Bliss and athletic director Tom Stanton, Sloan said the players would be free to transfer. But that doesn't necessarily mean they would receive a scholarship at their new school, or even be allowed to play next season.

Under NCAA rules for schools placed on probation, only seniors are allowed to transfer without the one year "in residence" penalty. Sloan put the program on probation lasting up to two years, and will not allow the team to make any postseason appearances next year. The NCAA could impose further sanctions.

The three returning seniors are R.T. Guinn, Matt Sayman and Terence Thomas. All three are likely to remain in Waco -- Thomas, because he's from the area, and Guinn and Sayman because they are on track to graduate from Baylor.

Who else is likely to suit up for Baylor next season? Bliss said preseason Wooden All-American Lawrence Roberts and incoming JC transfer Harvey Thomas both told him they wanted to stay in Waco.

Thomas, like many other people involved in Baylor basketball, is still shaking from the troubled summer that began with the disappearance and death of Patrick Dennehy.

"I wanted to play for Coach Bliss and make a big impact, and now all that is taken away," Thomas told the Waco Tribune-Herald. "I was looking for a place to settle down. It just looks like I'll be on the go my whole life."

So that begs the next question: Who will be their coach?

Baylor is not expected to begin its search until after Sloan meets with the team. Because Stanton is also resigning, Sloan still must decide who will actually make the hire, or at least coordinate the search.

Sources have told ESPN.com that John Lucas has been mentioned as a candidate to serve as interim coach. Lucas is a former NBA head coach, and his son, John Lucas III, plays at Baylor.

Three other coaches have expressed interest in the job through intermediate sources: Southwest Missouri State's Barry Hinson, Texas-Pan American's Bob Hoffman and Sam Houston State's Bob Marlin.

Current Baylor assistant Doug Ash is the only coach from Bliss's staff who will stay on during the transition. But once a permanent coach is found, Ash will also resign.

Sloan's own future also may be an issue. Sources have indicated that the president may be in danger of losing his job. Sloan already is under fire for an expensive school infrastructure-rebuilding program.

Andy Katz is a senior editor at ESPN.com.