Bill Self signs the biggest college basketball deal that a public university has ever given out

Kansas coach Bill Self signed a lifetime contract Tuesday worth $53 million over the first five years, surpassing Kentucky coach John Calipari as the richest public university college basketball coach deal ever.

Self will earn over $11 million this season in base pay, professional services, royalties, a one-time signing bonus, and retention payments, some deferred due to the pandemic. Upon serving out the first five years, Self will receive a $5 million retention bonus and another year added to the deal.

The contract amends a 2021 Self contract and allows renegotiation after 2025-26. Calipari's Wildcats contract pays $8.5 million this season.

“Bill Self is undoubtedly the most consistent coach in college basketball, and a restructuring of his contract terms were long overdue,” Kansas athletic director Travis Goff said. Our strong commitment to Coach Self positions KU basketball to maintain and enhance its status as the most storied program in the country in an ever-changing collegiate athletics environment.”

Incentives in the contract could boost its value. Self would receive $50,000 for a Big 12 regular-season title, $50,000 for coach of the year, and $25,000 for conference tournament victory. He earned $50,000 for an NCAA Tournament appearance, $100,000 for reaching the Sweet 16, $150,000 for reaching the Final Four, and $200,000 for winning another national championship.

Self was hospitalized before the Big 12 Tournament last season and needed a heart valve replacement. He missed the conference tournament and the NCAA Tournament, where Kansas lost in the second round.