College Team Guide

Kansas Jayhawks: History, National Titles & Facts

Kansas men's basketball was first coached by James Naismith, the inventor of the game, and won NCAA titles in 1952, 1988, 2008 and 2022. Kansas football began in 1890 and won the 2008 Orange Bowl.

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Quick facts

Basketball first season1898–99, coached by James Naismith
NCAA basketball titles4 through the 2025–26 season (1952, 1988, 2008, 2022)
Basketball arenaAllen Fieldhouse, opened March 1, 1955
Football first season1890
Football stadiumDavid Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, opened 1921
ConferenceBig 12 (charter member)

National championships

Through the 2025–26 season Kansas has won four NCAA men's basketball tournaments. The Helms Athletic Foundation also retroactively named Kansas the national champion for 1921–22 and 1922–23.

  • 1952 NCAA basketball: beat St. John's 80–63
  • 1988 NCAA basketball: beat Oklahoma 83–79
  • 2008 NCAA basketball: beat Memphis 75–68 in overtime
  • 2022 NCAA basketball: beat North Carolina 72–69
  • NCAA basketball runner-up: 1940, 1953, 1957, 1991, 2003, 2012
  • Football: won the 2008 Orange Bowl (2007 season), 24–21 over Virginia Tech

Program history

  • 1890: Kansas played its first football season.
  • 1898: James Naismith became the first basketball coach.
  • 1907: Phog Allen began the first of two stints as basketball coach, which lasted into 1956.
  • 1921: Memorial Stadium opened.
  • 1955: Allen Fieldhouse opened, named for Phog Allen.
  • 2008: Won the Orange Bowl in January and the NCAA basketball title in April.
  • 2022: Won the NCAA title over North Carolina after trailing by 16 points in the first half, the largest comeback in a title game.

Program record holders

Basketball pointsDanny Manning, 2,951
Basketball reboundsDanny Manning, 1,187
Basketball assistsAaron Miles, 954

Retired football numbers

  • 21John Hadl (football)
  • 42Ray Evans (football)
  • 48Gale Sayers (football)

College Football and Basketball Hall of Famers

Gale Sayers, John Hadl, Ray Evans, James Naismith, Phog Allen.

Biggest rivalries

  • Missouri Tigers: the Border War, a rivalry between neighboring states in football and basketball.
  • Kansas State Wildcats: the in-state Sunflower Showdown.
  • Kentucky Wildcats: a meeting of two of the winningest programs in college basketball; Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp played at Kansas under Phog Allen.

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Kansas Jayhawks FAQ

How many national championships has Kansas basketball won?

Four NCAA titles through the 2025–26 season: 1952, 1988, 2008 and 2022. The Helms Athletic Foundation also recognizes Kansas as champion for 1921–22 and 1922–23.

Who was the first Kansas basketball coach?

James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. He coached Kansas from 1898 to 1907.

Who is Allen Fieldhouse named after?

Phog Allen, who played at Kansas and coached the Jayhawks for 39 seasons. The fieldhouse opened on March 1, 1955.

Does Kansas retire basketball numbers?

No. Kansas retires jerseys rather than numbers; honored jerseys hang in Allen Fieldhouse. In football, Kansas has retired 21, 42 and 48.

Has Kansas football won a major bowl game?

Yes. Kansas beat Virginia Tech 24–21 in the Orange Bowl on January 3, 2008, capping the 2007 season.

Sources

Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.