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He considered retiring, but Bill Self isn’t ending his college coaching career just yet.
Auto announced that he will return to the Kansas Jayhawks bench for the 2026-27 season.
“With renewed clarity and the continued support of our administration, I remain focused and committed to Kansas basketball’s competition for a national championship,” Self’s statement read.
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Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks crosses the court 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 made the decision after consulting with his family, especially given his health problems in recent seasons.
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Self has dealt with chest tightness and balance issues, resulting in a hospitalization in 2013, forcing him to miss the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments. Two stents were placed to treat blocked arteries.
In July 2025, Self was admitted to a hospital after feeling ill. He was reportedly experiencing “worrying symptoms,” which led to another surgery to insert stents. He was later released from the hospital and coached the Jayhawks this year.
Self missed a game in January against Colorado, when he was taken to a hospital as a precaution, the school said 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 semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament 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, naturally leading reporters to wonder what Self had in mind about their future.
“I’ll come back and visit the family,” Self said, via ESPN. “Obviously I’ve had some health issues off the court. And that will be discussed. But I love what I do. I want to feel good while I’m doing it, though.”
Self has been a college basketball head 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 hasn’t left since.
Self has won two national championships in his 23 seasons with the Jayhawks, most recently in 2022. Kansas has also reached the Final Four four times under his leadership.
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 owns a 648-167 record with Kansas. He also has 855 wins as a head coach in his 33-year career, including 27 NCAA Tournament appearances.
With the NCAA transfer portal opening on April 7, Self will get back to work building another Kansas roster that hopes to go deep into March Madness next season.
