In a groundbreaking move, Kansas basketball coach Bill Self has signed an amended five-year contract, effectively making it a lifetime deal and positioning himself as the highest-paid coach in college basketball, as reported by ESPN.com.

Sources reveal that Self's compensation for the 2023-24 season will exceed $13 million, and he is set to earn a staggering $53 million over the next five years. With this remarkable contract, Self surpasses Kentucky's John Calipari, who previously held the title of the highest-paid coach in the country, earning $44 million over the same timeframe.

Although the financial terms of the contract were not disclosed by Kansas in their announcement on Tuesday, the university's athletic director, Travis Goff, expressed unwavering confidence in Self and justified the landmark deal. Goff emphasized Self's exceptional track record, hailing him as "undoubtedly the most consistent coach in college basketball." He further stated that the restructuring of Self's contract was long overdue, solidifying Kansas' commitment to their legendary basketball program.

Goff added that under Self's leadership for the past 20 years, the men's basketball program has been a driving force behind positive alumni engagement, enrollment growth, and revenue generation that benefits all other sports programs at Kansas. This investment has allowed the university to support its 500 student-athletes annually. Goff believes that Self, along with his dedicated staff, will lead the basketball program to an even brighter future.

The news of this lucrative contract comes as no surprise, considering the recent success of the Jayhawks. Coming off back-to-back 1-seeds and a victorious 2022 NCAA tournament campaign, the Jayhawks are entering the 2023-24 season as the preseason No. 1 team in the country, heightening the anticipation and expectations for their performance under Self's guidance.

With the upcoming season, Self is on track to reach a major milestone of 800 career wins. Along with his impressive win record, he already boasts two national championships and an astounding 20 league titles, including 13 consecutive Big 12 championships.

Expressing his gratitude, Self acknowledged the belief and confidence shown by Chancellor Douglas Girod, Travis Goff, and the entire leadership team at Kansas. He expressed his excitement about the future of the program and the unparalleled passion of the Jayhawks' fan base. Self emphasized that there is truly no place like Kansas.

In addition to his professional achievements, Self and the Kansas basketball program have faced scrutiny in the past, particularly during the 2017 FBI investigation into college basketball. However, the investigation concluded last month, with Self evading any further punishment and the program avoiding a postseason ban. The independent resolution panel deescalated five Level I violations to three Level II violations and four Level III violations, bringing some closure to a challenging period for the program.

It is worth noting that Self had signed his initial lifetime contract with the school in April 2021. The previous contract featured a five-year term, with an additional year added at the end of every season, and a guaranteed salary of $5.41 million per year. Importantly, it included a provision that barred the school from terminating Self for cause based on any infractions occurring on or prior to the signing of the deal.

Kansas has commenced their season with a resounding 99-56 victory over North Carolina Central on Monday and is set to host Manhattan on Friday, serving as an exciting start to what promises to be another thrilling campaign under the tutelage of Coach Bill Self.