Bill Self Named Naismith Coach of the Year Award Finalist

ATLANTA – Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self has been named one of 15 finalists for the 2015 Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year Award the Atlanta Tip-Off Club announced Wednesday.
 
In his 12th season at Kansas, Self has guided the Jayhawks to an unprecedented 11-consecutive Big 12 Conference regular-season titles, including the 2014-15 crown. The 11-straight league championship ties for the second-most in NCAA Division I history.
 
At 24-6 overall and 13-4 in Big 12 play, Kansas’ 2014-15 schedule is the toughest in the country, while its Rating Percentage Index (RPI) has been ranked either first or second in NCAA Division I all season and is currently second.
 
In addition to their Big 12 regular-season title, the Jayhawks won the Orlando Classic over Thanksgiving weekend to highlight non-conference action. In the 60th season inside Allen Fieldhouse, Kansas posted its 18th all-time, fifth under Self, undefeated season inside the historic venue by going 15-0 at home in 2014-15.
 
In the 2014-15 national polls, the No. 9/10 Jayhawks have been ranked in the Associated Press top 10 for 12 weeks and the USA Today Coaches’ Poll top 10 on 11 occasions. With their 76-69 overtime win versus No. 20/20 West Virginia on March 3, the Jayhawks are 9-3 against ranked foes this season.
 
Self is currently 349-75 in his 12 years in Lawrence and 556-180 in his 22nd season overall. He is 190-9 inside Allen Fieldhouse and has won more conference titles (11) than lost home games (9).
 
Self was the 2012 Naismith Coach of the Year and this is the seventh time he has been a finalist for the honor. Self has been named national coach of the year by other organizations four times: in 2000 while at Tulsa and in 2008, 2009 and 2012 while at Kansas. He has been selected as his conference coach of the year on five occasions, including four while at KU.
 
To see the entire list of 15 finalists, one can go to: http://www.naismithtrophy.com/press-release/mens-college-coach-of-the-year-15-semifinalists/.
 
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