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He was considering retirement, but Bill Self won’t end his college coaching career just yet.
Self announced he will return to the Kansas Jayhawks sideline for the 2026-27 season.
“With renewed clarity and continued support from our administration, I remain focused and committed to Kansas basketball’s competition for a national championship,” Self’s statement said.
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Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks walks across 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 from the best fans in college basketball next season at Allen Fieldhouse.”
Self made this decision after consulting with his family, particularly given his health issues in recent seasons.
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Self dealt with chest tightness and balance issues, which led to hospitalization in 2013, forcing 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 the hospital after feeling ill. He reportedly experienced “worrying symptoms,” which led to another surgery to insert stents. He then got out of the hospital and coached the Jayhawks this year.
Self missed a January game against Colorado when he was taken to the hospital as a precaution, the school noted at the time.
Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks watches his team play against the Houston Cougars in the second half during the Big 12 Tournament semifinals at the T-Mobile Center on March 13, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
The Jayhawks fell to St. John’s in the NCAA tournament, which naturally led reporters to wonder what Self had in mind regarding his future.
“I’ll come back and visit family,” Self said via ESPN. “I’ve obviously had some health issues off the field. And that will be discussed. But I love what I do. But I want to feel good while I’m doing it.”
Self has been a head college basketball coach since the 1993-94 season, beginning his tenure with Oral Roberts. After stops at Tulsa and Illinois, Self joined Kansas for the 2003-04 season, and he 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 watch.
Kansas head coach Bill Self reacts as the team plays California Baptist during the first half of the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 20, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
In 815 games, Self has a record of 648-167 with Kansas. He also has 855 wins as a head coach during his 33-year career, which includes 27 NCAA tournament appearances.
With the NCAA transfer portal opening on April 7, Self will be back to work building another Kansas team that he hopes to take deeper into March Madness next season.
