ATLANTA — Bill Self downplayed his achievement of becoming the all-time winningest coach in the history of Kansas basketball, even as he eclipsed the record of the legendary figure whose name adorns the university’s arena.
“It means I’m old,” remarked the 61-year-old Self, flashing a modest smile. “And it means I’ve had the privilege of coaching many phenomenal players.”
On Tuesday night, Self reached this milestone when the top-ranked Jayhawks defeated Michigan State 77-69 during the Champions Classic held in Atlanta. With this victory, Self’s coaching record improved to 591 wins against 143 losses in his 22 years leading the Kansas program, surpassing Phog Allen, who led the Jayhawks to a 590-219 record across 39 seasons. Including his previous coaching stints at Oral Roberts, Tulsa, and Illinois, Self is now only two wins shy of reaching 800 career victories.
The iconic Allen Fieldhouse, the home of the Jayhawks, is named after Hall of Fame coach Phog Allen, who enjoyed a remarkable coaching career in the early 20th century.
Although Self expressed he hasn’t given much thought to surpassing Allen’s numbers, he acknowledges pride in his accomplishment but maintains that Phog Allen will always remain the greatest coach at Kansas.
That sentiment doesn’t align with how his players view him.
“It’s really special,” said 7-foot-2 center Hunter Dickinson, who contributed significantly with 28 points and 12 rebounds in the game. “He’s never going to admit it or take the credit, but he’s the best coach in Kansas basketball history. We feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to play for him.”
Fifth-year guard Dajuan Harris Jr. reflected on the importance of being part of this historic moment for Self. “Coach Self changed my life. All the credit goes to him,” Harris mentioned. “I just want to be there to support him because he’s always been there for me.”
Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo, who holds the record for wins at his school with 709, acknowledged Self’s ability to maximize the potential of players like Zeke Mayo. Although Mayo scored only six points on 2-of-8 shooting, he made his presence felt with 10 rebounds and seven assists.
“That’s a tribute to Bill and his coaching staff. They have a unique talent for getting players to step up in other ways when their shooting isn’t up to par,” Izzo noted, adding that he didn’t receive the same level of performance from some of his own players.
The Jayhawks are eager to move on from a lackluster season that fell below their usually high standards. Last year, they started strong at No. 1, winning 13 of their first 14 contests, but struggled thereafter, finishing 10-10 with a disappointing end marked by an 89-68 loss to Gonzaga in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Now, Self and his players are focused on turning that disappointment into motivation.
“I just want to win basketball games,” Harris asserted. “Winning is all that matters to coach, and it’s all that matters to me. This is my last year with him, so I want to win every game together.”
Regardless of what occurs in the remainder of his career, Bill Self’s legacy is firmly established at the university recognized for its storied history.
“I know the fans appreciate that he’s the best coach to have ever been here,” Dickinson concluded. “We’re just striving to win more games for him, aiming to elevate him even higher in his career.”