Bill Self’s Championships
William David “Bill” Self Jr. is an American men’s college basketball coach who is currently the head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks. Self has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in the game, with a coaching career that has spanned more than 20 years and counting. He has achieved a great deal of success, winning a total of eleven championships throughout his career.
Early Coaching Career
Self began his coaching career in 1989 as an assistant coach at Kansas State University. He then moved on to Tulsa University for two years and then Oral Roberts University for two seasons, before settling in at the University of Illinois for four seasons. During this time, Self earned his first championship when the Illinois Illini won the Big Ten Tournament in 1998.
University of Kansas
In 2003, Self was hired as head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks. Under his tutelage, the Jayhawks have become one of the most successful college basketball programs in the nation. In his first season at Kansas, Self led the Jayhawks to the 2004 NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Georgia Tech in the Elite Eight. Since then, Self has led the Jayhawks to nine Big 12 Conference regular-season championships, three Big 12 Conference tournament championships, and two NCAA National Championships.
2008 National Championship
In 2008, Self led the Jayhawks to the NCAA National Championship title. The Jayhawks entered the tournament as a #1 seed and defeated the #2-seeded Memphis Tigers 75-68 in the championship game. It was the Jayhawks first national title since 1988 and Self’s first as a head coach.
2012 National Championship
In 2012, Self and the Jayhawks repeated as NCAA National Champions, defeating the #2-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes 64-62 in the championship game. The win marked the Jayhawks’ second national title in four years and Self’s second as head coach.
Big 12 Championships
Since taking over as head coach at Kansas, Self has led the Jayhawks to nine Big 12 regular-season championships. Among these titles are six consecutive titles from 2005-2010 and three consecutive titles from 2018-2020.
Big 12 Tournament Championships
In addition to the Big 12 regular-season championships, Self has also led the Jayhawks to three Big 12 tournament championships. The Jayhawks won the tournament in 2006, 2007, and 2021.
Other Achievements
In addition to his championships at Kansas, Self has also been named Big 12 Coach of the Year four times, in 2006, 2011, 2018, and 2020. He has also been named the Naismith College Coach of the Year twice, in 2009 and 2012.
Record at Kansas
In his 18 seasons at Kansas, Self has amassed a record of 556-107. His winning percentage of .838 is the highest in Big 12 history and the second-highest in NCAA Division I history.
Conclusion
Bill Self is one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history. He has amassed an impressive eleven championships throughout his career, including two NCAA National Championships, nine Big 12 regular-season championships, and three Big 12 tournament championships. He has also been named Big 12 Coach of the Year four times and Naismith College Coach of the Year twice. His record at Kansas is an impressive 556-107, the highest winning percentage in Big 12 history.
Summary
- Championships: Eleven total, including two NCAA National Championships, nine Big 12 regular-season championships, and three Big 12 tournament championships.
- Awards: Four-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, two-time Naismith College Coach of the Year.
- Record at Kansas: 556-107, with a winning percentage of .838.