By Raymond Lucas, Jr.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (247Sports.com) – Kansas basketball head coach Bill Self signed an amended lifetime contract with the program. ESPN reported that the agreement makes him the highest-paid coach in the country, he makes more than $13 million in 2023-24 and $53 million over the next five seasons. Self notched his 566th win at Kansas Tuesday against North Carolina Central. Since the 2006-07 season, the Jayhawks won 498 games, which is 21 more than any Power Five program in that span. The Naismith Hall of Fame member is one of nine coaches to win 700-plus games and multiple national titles in his career.
“I am very appreciative to chancellor (Douglas) Girod, Travis Goff and the entire KU leadership team for their continued belief and confidence in me and my staff to lead this storied program,” Self said in a statement released by Kansas. “I know the chancellor and Travis are as excited as I am about the future of Kansas Basketball. There has never been a better time to be a part of our athletic department and this program. My family and I are so proud to be at this university, and I am looking forward to many more seasons representing the most passionate fan base in the country. There’s no place like Kansas.”
Along with 773 wins, Self has led Kansas to 20 conference championships, producing 18 first-round NBA Draft picks. He’s also received four National Coach of the Year honors.
“Bill Self is undoubtedly the most consistent coach in college basketball, and a restructuring of his contract terms were long overdue,” Goff said. “In an ever-changing collegiate athletics environment, our strong commitment to Coach Self positions KU basketball to maintain and enhance its status as the most storied program in the country.
“Over his 20 years at KU, our men’s basketball program has been a primary source of positive alumni engagement, strong university enrollment, and revenue that has helped fund all other Kansas Athletics programs and invest in all 500 student-athletes every year. With him and his staff at the helm of our basketball program, the future of Kansas Athletics has never been brighter.”
At one point, Self led Kansas to 13-straight Big 12 championships, a streak that was snapped during the 2018-19 season. He has earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament 10 times. He hasn’t had a finish lower than a No. 4 seed during the selection process since 2000-2001, when he was still at Illinois.
Kansas entered the season ranked No. 1 and will have opportunities to flash its championship potential in the coming weeks. The Jayhawks face No. 16 Kentucky on Nov. 14, defending champion No. 6 UConn on Dec. 1 and Indiana on Dec. 16.
