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He considered retirement, but Bill Self won’t end his college coaching career just yet.
He himself announced that he will return to the Kansas Jayhawks’ sideline for the 2026-27 season.
“With renewed clarity and the ongoing support of our administration, I remain focused and committed to Kansas basketball competing for a national championship,” Self’s statement said.
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Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self walks onto the field before a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena on February 2, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas. (John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
“I look forward to seeing and hearing the best fans in college basketball next season at Allen Fieldhouse.”
Self took the decision after consulting with his family, especially considering his health issues in recent seasons.
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Self has dealt with chest tightness and balance issues, which resulted in a 2013 hospitalization that forced him to miss the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments. He had two stents placed to treat blocked arteries.
In July 2025, Self was admitted to a hospital after feeling ill. He reportedly experienced “concerning symptoms” which led to another surgery to have stents inserted. He was later released from a hospital and coached the Jayhawks this year.
Even missed a game in January against Colorado when he was taken to a hospital as a precaution, the school noted at the time.
Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self watches his team play against the Houston Cougars in the second half during the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center on March 13, 2026 in Kansas City, Mo. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
The Jayhawks fell to St. John’s in the NCAA tournament, which naturally had reporters wondering what Self had in mind for his future.
“I’ll go back and visit the family,” Self said, via ESPN. “Obviously I’ve had some problems off the field health-wise. And that will be discussed. But I love what I do. I want to have a good time while I’m doing it though.”
Self has been a college basketball coach since the 1993-94 season, when he began his tenure at Oral Roberts. After stops in Tulsa and Illinois, Self joined Kansas for the 2003-04 season and hasn’t left since.
Self has won two national championships in his 23 seasons with the Jayhawks, his most recent coming in 2022. Kansas has also reached the Final Four four times under his leadership.
Kansas head coach Bill Self reacts as the team plays against California Baptist in the first half of the first round of the NCAA Tournament March 20, 2026 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
In 815 games, Self owns a 648-167 record with Kansas. He also has 855 head coaching victories in his 33-year career, which includes 27 NCAA Tournament appearances.
With the NCAA transfer portal opening on April 7, Self is immediately back to work building another Kansas roster that he hopes will go deeper into March Madness next season.
