National Football League

Self takes home Naismith award

Published Apr. 1, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Kansas' Bill Self has been named the 2012 Naismith Men's College Basketball Coach of the Year, the school announced on Sunday.

“Bill has done a remarkable coaching job this season and deserves all the accolades that come his way,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club, which presents the honor. "There’s always something special about adding another chapter of Kansas Basketball to the Naismith Awards family.”

Self is the third Jayhawks coach to win the the award, joining Larry Brown (1988) and Roy Williams (1997). He beat out finalists John Calipari, Jim Boeheim and Frank Haith this year.

Kansas compiled a 31-7 record this season and earned a spot in the national title game against Kentucky. It's Self's ninth season leading the Jayhawks and he has a 269-52 record over that time.

“This is a terrific honor. When you think of postseason awards, anything that has (James) Naismith’s name in front of it is a huge award and certainly I’m very proud of this,” Self said in a statement. “It is a reflection of how our team performed all year long. There are so many good coaches out there to choose from but I am honored they picked me.”