The 2026 Hall of Fame Class
Former Kansas head coach Ted Owens will be enshrined in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2026, joining a distinguished group that includes Jay Wright and Tubby Smith. The announcement comes as the basketball community celebrates a new generation of coaching excellence.
Owens spent 19 seasons at the helm of the Jayhawks from 1963 to 1984, compiling a 348‑182 record that places him fourth on the program’s all‑time wins list. During his tenure he captured six Big Eight Conference titles and earned Big Eight Coach of the Year honors five times, while guiding the team to seven NCAA Tournament appearances and two Final Fours in 1971 and 1974.
His impact extended beyond the scoreboard, producing NBA talents such as Jo Jo White, Darnell Valentine, Walt Wesley, and later stars like Danny Manning and Clyde Lovellette. Owens’ teams were known for disciplined play and a relentless defensive identity that left a lasting imprint on the Kansas tradition.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for October 22 in Kansas City, Missouri, where Bill Self, the current Kansas head coach, publicly praised Owens on social media, calling the honor "well deserved." The event will bring together former players, colleagues, and fans to celebrate a career that helped shape modern college basketball.
Owens becomes the sixth of Kansas’ eight historic head coaches to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, underscoring the program’s deep roots in the sport’s elite. His legacy continues to influence current coaches and players who view his achievements as a benchmark for excellence.