The College Basketball Hall of Fame announced that Ted Owens, who guided the Kansas Jayhawks for nearly two decades, will be enshrined in its 2026 class.
A Legacy of Leadership
Owens spent 19 seasons at Kansas from 1964‑65 through 1982‑83, compiling a 348‑530 record and a .657 winning percentage that places him fourth on the school’s all‑time coaching list.
During his tenure he captured six Big Eight Conference titles and led the Jayhawks to the Final Four in 1971 and 1974, moments that remain etched in the program’s history.
The upcoming ceremony will also honor a distinguished group of coaches and players, among them Tubby Smith, who guided Kentucky to a national championship in 1998, and Jay Wright, the architect of Villanova’s titles in 2016 and 2018.
Hall of Fame Class
Other inductees include Danny Ainge, Walt Hazzard and Glen Rice, each of whom left an indelible mark on the sport through their playing careers.
Bill Self, the current Kansas head coach, praised Owens’ impact, noting that his contributions helped shape the program’s modern identity.
Owens, now 97, also left a mark at Oral Roberts University before returning to the national spotlight.