Bill Self Signs Lifetime Contract with Kansas, Becomes Highest Paid Men's Basketball Coach at a Public University

Bill Self's new contract will pay more than $11 million this season, including a one-time signing bonus and retention payments deferred during the pandemic, far exceeding the contract of Kentucky coach John Calipari, the previous highest-earning coach at a public university.

Bill Self has signed a lifetime contract with Kansas, with the intent of concluding his coaching career there. His contract is worth $53 million over the first five years, making him the highest paid men's basketball coach at a public university.
The new contract will see Self earning over $11 million this season, including a one-time signing bonus and deferred pandemic-related retention payments. This significantly exceeds the contract of John Calipari at Kentucky, the previously highest-earning coach at a public university.
Despite Self's new contract being structured as a rolling five-year deal, it does contain clauses for his termination. Nonetheless, Self confidently confirmed his intention to finish his career at Kansas.
The delay in the contract announcement was due to legal negotiations rather than awaiting the result of an NCAA violation investigation. The penalties for Kansas' Level I violations were recently downgraded by the panel.
Self, who recently had aortic valve replacement surgery, is approaching 31 years as a head coach with no specified end date in sight. He cited his health as a factor in his career's duration.