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Former Kansas mens basketball coach Ted Owens, an Oklahoma native with coaching ties to Tulsa, has been selected for induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches announced Sunday that Owens will join the Hall of Fames Class of 2026 during an induction ceremony on Oct.
22 at the College Basketball Experience in Kansas City, Missouri.
One of college basketballs finest.
Kansas Mens Basketball (@KUHoops) July 13, 2026 Congratulations to Coach Ted Owens on his induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
pic.twitter.com/uadBgd44lJ Hall of Fame honors legendary coaching career Owens spent 19 seasons leading Kansas from 1964 to 1983, compiling a 348-182 record that still ranks fourth in program history.
During his tenure, the Jayhawks won six Big Eight regular-season championships, reached the NCAA Tournament seven times and advanced to the Final Four in 1971 and 1974.
Kansas head coach Bill Self called the recognition overdue.
Were all so happy for Coach to receive this honor, Self said in a release.
I have become very close friends with Coach and hes one of the most unselfish leaders Ive ever been around."Owens also was named Big Eight Coach of the Year five times and National Coach of the Year by Basketball Weekly in 1978.
Oklahoma and Tulsa connections Born in Hollis, Oklahoma, Owens played basketball at the University of Oklahoma before beginning his coaching career at Cameron State Junior College in Lawton, where he posted a 93-24 record and led the schools baseball team to the 1958 NJCAA national championship.
After leaving Kansas, Owens coached at Oral Roberts University from 1985 to 1987 before later serving as basketball coach and development director at Metro Christian Academy in Tulsa.
He eventually returned to Tulsa following his career in college athletics and has remained a resident there in retirement.
Owens also was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
Key Facts - Owens will be inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame on Oct.
22, 2026.
- The Hollis native coached Kansas for 19 seasons and won 348 games.
- He coached at Oral Roberts University from 1985-87 and later at Metro Christian Academy in Tulsa.
- Owens played at the University of Oklahoma and began his coaching career at Cameron in Lawton.
- He joins the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 alongside Jay Wright, Tubby Smith, Glen Rice, Danny Ainge and Walt Hazzard.
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