Bill Self

Bill Self has established himself as one of college basketball’s most accomplished coaches, known for consistently leading teams to conference championships and NCAA Tournament success. After leading Oral Roberts to its first NIT appearance in 1997, Bill Self embarked on a decorated collegiate coaching career, quickly establishing himself as a transformative leader. Self began his head coaching journey with Oral Roberts in 1993, revitalizing a struggling program by guiding them from a 6-21 record in his inaugural season to a 21-7 record by 1996-97. This success led him to Tulsa, where he compiled an impressive 74-27 record over three seasons from 1997 to 2000.

In 2003, Self returned to the University of Kansas as head coach, solidifying his status as a legendary figure in collegiate basketball. His exceptional contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. Self’s consistent excellence has earned him multiple prestigious accolades throughout his career. He was honored as the AP College Coach of the Year in 2009 and later as the Naismith College Coach of the Year in 2012.

Further cementing his legacy, Self was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. He received the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award by the USBWA in 2014 and the Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award in 2015, highlighting his impact beyond the court. In 2016, he was again named AP National Coach of the Year. Most recently, Self achieved significant milestones, further cementing his place in basketball history.

In 2024, he became the winningest coach in Kansas history, accumulating 609 wins over 22 seasons with the program. In November 2024, he surpassed the remarkable benchmark of 800 career wins, underscoring his enduring success and profound influence on collegiate basketball.