Bill Self Speaking Fee: $30,000 to $50,000

Bill Self, born on December 27, 1962, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, has become a prominent figure in college basketball coaching. Growing up in Edmond, Oklahoma, Self's passion for basketball led him to play as a four-year letterman at Oklahoma State University from 1982 to 1985. He earned a bachelor's degree in business in 1985 and later a master's in athletic administration in 1989. Self's coaching journey began in the 1985-86 season when he served as a graduate assistant under Larry Brown at the University of Kansas. This experience was pivotal, as the Jayhawks advanced to the Final Four that year. He then spent seven years as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State University, further honing his coaching skills. In 1993, Self took on his first head coaching role at Oral Roberts University. Over four seasons, he transformed the program, leading to a 55-54 record. His success continued at the University of Tulsa from 1997 to 2000, where he achieved a 74-27 record and guided the team to its best season in school history. From 2000 to 2003, Self coached at the University of Illinois, where he led the team to two Big Ten Conference titles and an overall record of 78-24. In 2003, he returned to the University of Kansas as head coach. Under his leadership, the Jayhawks have secured multiple conference championships and two NCAA national titles in 2008 and 2022. Self's tenure at Kansas has solidified his reputation as one of college basketball's elite coaches. Beyond his coaching achievements, Self's contributions to the sport have been recognized with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. His journey from a passionate player in Oklahoma to a Hall of Fame coach serves as an inspiring narrative of dedication, resilience, and excellence in college basketball.