No. 1 Kansas, coach Bill Self agree to new contract

Kansas head coach Bill Self signed an amended "lifetime" contract with the Jayhawks on Tuesday.

One day after preseason No. 1 Kansas opened the regular season with a 99-56 win over North Carolina Central, the school announced the updated agreement in a brief release but did not reveal the value of the pact, which The Messenger reported was worth $53 million over five years, making him the highest-paid coach in college basketball.

"I am very appreciative to Chancellor (Douglas) Girod, (athletic director) 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. "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."

The deal reportedly pays Self $13 million for 2023-24 as he makes his return from a heart-related medical issue that forced him off the bench in March for the postseason.

"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."

A two-time national champion with 773 career victories, Self, who turns 61 on Dec. 27, has been named National Coach of the Year four times.

Self has posted a .811 winning percentage with the Jayhawks and led the program to 13 straight Big 12 Conference regular-season championships to match an NCAA record. Self has 566 wins since being hired at Kansas, best among active Power 5 coaches.