Everyone remembers Kansas winning the 2022 national championship....
Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness@coachajkings
37 views
Jul 29, 2025
~2 min read
Advertisement
1
Everyone remembers Kansas winning the 2022 national championship.
But the timeout with 4.3 seconds left - that's when Bill Self showed what separates great leaders from good leaders.
He let his players challenge his plan without taking it personally.
Here's what happened:🧵
But the timeout with 4.3 seconds left - that's when Bill Self showed what separates great leaders from good leaders.
He let his players challenge his plan without taking it personally.
Here's what happened:🧵
2
Kansas was up 3 against North Carolina with 4.6 seconds left.
All they had to do was inbound the ball and hold it. Game over.
Instead, their player stepped out of bounds. Carolina ball. 4.3 secs left.
Championship on the line. Self had a strategy, but his team challenged it.
All they had to do was inbound the ball and hold it. Game over.
Instead, their player stepped out of bounds. Carolina ball. 4.3 secs left.
Championship on the line. Self had a strategy, but his team challenged it.
0:26
3
Self's strategy: "Let's foul immediately. If they make 2 free throws, we're still up.
Jalen Wilson spoke up and said something like this:
"Coach that's not how we guard. Let's switch five. This is how we guard, this is the way you taught us."
Self paused and thought...
Jalen Wilson spoke up and said something like this:
"Coach that's not how we guard. Let's switch five. This is how we guard, this is the way you taught us."
Self paused and thought...
4
"Okay is that what you guys want to do?" Self asked.
A Hall of Fame coach gave his players the power to decide.
That defense won Kansas the title and completed the largest comeback in championship history.
But the strategy wasn't what mattered most.
A Hall of Fame coach gave his players the power to decide.
That defense won Kansas the title and completed the largest comeback in championship history.
But the strategy wasn't what mattered most.
0:26
5
What mattered was the trust Self had built.
The trust he gave.
Coach Q (@fq212) explains it so well: "Most leaders want to do it their way. But because of his relationship with his players, they were comfortable enough to challenge Coach Self when everything was on the line."
The trust he gave.
Coach Q (@fq212) explains it so well: "Most leaders want to do it their way. But because of his relationship with his players, they were comfortable enough to challenge Coach Self when everything was on the line."
6
This is why Kansas asks every recruit: "Would you rather be down one with the ball to win, or up one needing a defensive stop?"
They want the latter.
A culture of trust and communication.
Great leaders build trust that can handle the truth even during times of adversity.
They want the latter.
A culture of trust and communication.
Great leaders build trust that can handle the truth even during times of adversity.
3:50
7
📌 Bookmark this video if you're an athlete, coach, parent, or leader.
This story comes from Coach Q's (@fq212) interview on The Playbook with Colin Jonov (@ColkyJonov10).
Great podcast and a must-watch on culture, leadership, and gratitude.
youtube.com/watch?v=k1k1mJ…
This story comes from Coach Q's (@fq212) interview on The Playbook with Colin Jonov (@ColkyJonov10).
Great podcast and a must-watch on culture, leadership, and gratitude.
youtube.com/watch?v=k1k1mJ…
8
@fq212 @ColkyJonov10 If you like this post, you will love the FREE newsletter:
The Growth Compass🧭
3-minute read packed with actionable ideas on mindset, resilience, and leadership. Join today: thegrowthcompass.beehiiv.com
The Growth Compass🧭
3-minute read packed with actionable ideas on mindset, resilience, and leadership. Join today: thegrowthcompass.beehiiv.com
