Kansas HC Bill Self calls college basketball the 'Wild, Wild West' as one-season millionaires and transfer chaos take over

Bill Self has seen college basketball evolve in various ways in 20 seasons coaching the Kansas Jayhawks' men's team. One of the most prominent evolutions in college basketball is NIL deals, which allow student-athletes to earn millions of dollars by signing deals with brands and colleges.

On the Field of 68 podcast Wednesday, Self talked about his approach now that student-athletes are becoming instant millionaires.

"My mindset has changed a little bit," Self said. "I’m not looking at it just as how screwed our business is. I’m looking at it: ‘This is the way it is.

"Every business that anybody is involved with, over a course of time, there will be drastic change, and you have to adjust in regard to that business.’ It is the Wild, Wild West now. It is what other coaches say now."

While he acknowledged that college basketball programs need to adjust to get the best results, he believes things will even out over time.

"I do think the guardrails at some point in time will get back on to the point we all know what we are operating with," Self said. "I don’t know if any coach out there actually knows what they are operating with."

Self signed one of the richest contract extensions in college basketball history in 2023 when the Jayhawks offered him a lifetime contract that will pay him $53 million in the first five years.

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Bill Self forms a top 10 recruiting class for the Kansas Jayhawks

Self and his staff have mastered the art of recruitment, with their 2024 recruiting class ranking eighth in the country, per 247Sports. They have landed some of the biggest names, including Wisconsin Badgers star AJ Storr and Alabama Crimson Tide forward Rylan Griffen, in the transfer portal.

Bill Self has made the Kansas Jayhawks one of the strongest teams ahead of the 2024-25 season (Photo: IMAGN)

The Jayhawks also landed a commitment from talented center Flory Bidunga, ranked the 14th prospect in the country. Last season, they exited March Madness in the second round following a 68-89 loss to the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Self, who led the Jayhawks to the 2022 NCAA Tournament title, will be focused on bringing the Jayhawks back to those glory days in the upcoming season and clearly has a roster capable of achieving those heights.