Kansas Jayhawks: Bill Self's Contract Extension a Smart Move by Sheahon Zenger

The Kansas Jayhawks announced Friday that they have extended head coach Bill Self's contract through the 2021-22 season.

Self’s previous contract was set to expire in June 2018, paying him $3.376 million. His new deal pays him $3.856 million annually, giving him an increase of $450,000 per year.

Athletic director, Sheahon Zenger, made the right move giving Self a a new contract. Both sides win in this deal as Self earns more money, and Kansas keeps its elite standards with Self running the shots at Allen Fieldhouse.

After the 2003 National Championship loss to Syracuse, former coach Roy Williams left Kansas to take the head coaching job with North Carolina. Kansas fans were uncertain about their future. When Self was named the new head coach of the basketball program, fans hoped that the program would remain elite under Self's guidance, which it has.

Even in just nine seasons, Self has established a strong career with the Jayhawks.

Self has won the Big 12 Coach of the Year award in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2012.  He’s also won the National Coach of the Year award in 2009 and 2012.

He coached the Jayhawks to a National Championship win in 2008 and led them to another appearance in 2012 after falling short to Kentucky. Self’s success with the players carried over professionally as nine former Jayhawks went on to become NBA first-round draft picks.

Self has always been appreciated by players, parents, colleagues and fans and has exceeded expectations, even when the Jayhawks were not projected to go as far as some predicted in some seasons.

Despite early exits in the 2005 to Bucknell, 2006 to Bradley and 2010 to Northern Iowa, Self has made up for those seasons with two different Final Four appearances. Self accumulated a 269-53 record, including a 124-24 conference record, in his nine years as the coach of Kansas.

Kansas tied for second in the Big 12 regular season standings in Self’s first year with the team. Since then, the Jayhawks have either finished first or have tied for first as regular season conference champions.

With Self locked up until 2022, the Kansas Jayhawks will continue to be a powerhouse basketball school. Self's recruiting has always been top-notch while his program continued to carry on the basketball tradition in Lawrence in his first nine years with Kansas. The next nine years under his new contract can only get better, giving fans more excitement and more wins to celebrate.