Just a week after Bill Self claimed the title of the winningest coach in Kansas history, the renowned Hall of Famer achieved another significant milestone, joining fellow coaches John Calipari and Rick Barnes as the only active Division I head coaches with 800 victories.
In a compelling match on Tuesday night, the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks faced off against UNC Wilmington. They managed to maintain a five-point lead at halftime before turning up the heat in the second half to secure an 84-66 triumph, a game that saw their starters and key players on the court until the final whistle.
“We have room for improvement,” Self commented after the game, “but I think tonight was a favorable step forward.”
This noteworthy achievement comes just ahead of a highly anticipated clash with No. 12 Duke next week, placing Self in an exclusive group of coaches. Among those who have reached the 800-win milestone are legendary figures like Mike Krzyzewski, the all-time victories leader, along with retired coaches Jim Boeheim and Roy Williams, both of whom have an esteemed history in college basketball.
“Wins rarely linger in my memory like losses do,” Self reflected, emphasizing the importance he places on learning from setbacks.
At 61 years old, Self boasts an impressive record of 800 wins to 248 losses since he took the reins as head coach at Oral Roberts in 1993. His journey included coaching stints at Tulsa and Illinois before succeeding Williams at Kansas for the 2003-04 season.
Just last week, the Jayhawks triumphed over Michigan State in the Champions Classic, marking Self’s 591st win during his 22 years leading Kansas. This victory pushed him past Phog Allen, the iconic figure after whom Allen Fieldhouse is named, solidifying his place as the winningest coach in the school’s illustrious history.
Hunter Dickinson, the Jayhawks’ star center, expressed pride in being part of this momentous occasion. “I’m grateful to have a chance to play under him at 800 wins. I’m hoping he reaches 900 and 1,000 because he truly deserves it,” Dickinson said. “Our main focus remains on securing that elusive third national championship for him.”
Self could have recorded his 800th victory last year. However, the university had to vacate 15 wins from the 2017-18 season, along with associated titles and a Final Four appearance, due to a resolution highlighting recruiting violations during his tenure. These violations emerged from a wider federal investigation into corruption in college basketball that year. Alongside these penalties, Self and assistant coach Kurtis Townsend served four-game suspensions during the 2022-23 season as part of the NCAA sanctions.
Despite these challenges, the university has consistently supported its Hall of Fame coach. Last year, Kansas announced it had entered into a contract with Self, effectively securing a long-term commitment that would compensate him $53 million over five years, making him the highest-paid men’s basketball coach at a public institution.
Self stated last week that he has no immediate plans for retirement, although he acknowledged he is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. His health may play a role in his future plans, as he underwent a heart procedure in 2023 that led him to miss crucial postseason tournaments, though he reports feeling much better now.
As he continues to coach, he does so with the presence of meaningful tributes. Two years ago, a banner was raised in honor of his father, bearing the phrase, “Just Load the Wagon,” inspired by a saying from Bill Self Sr. This sentiment is also etched outside the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Recently, Self was surprised when another banner was unveiled, denoting his status as the All-Time Winningest Coach in Kansas Basketball history, hanging alongside the uniforms of legends like Danny Manning and Jacque Vaughn.
“Coach is simply a winner, that sums it up,” declared guard Dajuan Harris Jr. after the recent victory, highlighting the impact Self has made on the program and his players.