Former Illinois Coach Bill Self Named Top Coach of the Century by The Athletic
Bill Self, the former Illinois head coach now leading Kansas, has received a rare and prestigious honor in a recent ranking of college basketball coaches by The Athletic.
Illinois basketball boasts a rich history, with fans familiar with names like current coach Brad Underwood, Lou Henson, and Harry Combes. However, one name that may still be a bit of a mystery to some Illini fans is Bill Self—a coach who, despite his relatively short tenure in Champaign, left a lasting impact on the program.
Self’s career success, especially his accomplishments at Kansas, has cemented him as a significant figure in the sport. For his outstanding work with both Illinois and Kansas, Self was recently recognized as The Athletic’s Coach of the Century.
Though he only spent three seasons at Illinois, Self posted the highest winning percentage (.765) of any coach in school history with more than a single season, outpacing second-place Ralph Jones (.714) by a wide margin. During his time in Champaign, Self led the Illini to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight run, and claimed two regular-season Big Ten titles along with a Big Ten Tournament championship.
However, it is at Kansas where Self’s legacy truly flourished. Over 22 seasons, he’s accumulated 21 NCAA Tournament berths, four Final Four appearances, and two national championships, alongside 17 conference titles.
While it’s tempting to imagine what Illinois could have achieved had Self remained, there’s little point in dwelling on the past. Self’s greatness is undeniable, even if it’s not universally adored. Today, Illinois basketball is in capable hands with Brad Underwood, ensuring the program remains in good shape moving forward.
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