Kansas head coach Bill Self calls a play during the second half on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas’ Bill Self, whose remarkable run of seven consecutive Big 12 championships has astounded his rivals and probably spoiled his fans, is the Associated Press Big 12 coach of the year.

Self easily outpolled everyone else in voting by writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the Big 12. It’s the third time in his eight seasons at Kansas that the affable Oklahoma native has won the honor.

Of all the championships in Self’s trophy case, this year’s was perhaps the most improbable.

The Jayhawks lost two NBA lottery picks off last year’s team as well as playmaking guard Sherron Collins. They also had injuries, suspensions and the tragic death of one player’s mother. But they still finished 29-2 overall and 14-2 in the league, losing only to Texas and Kansas State.