Bill Self commits to coaching Kansas basketball for the 2026-27 season
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He was considering retirement, but Bill Self won’t be ending his college coaching career just yet.
Self announced that he will return to the sidelines of the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2026-27 season.
“With renewed clarity and the continued support of our administration, I remain focused and committed to ensuring Kansas basketball competes for a national championship,” Self said in a statement.
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Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self walks on the field before their 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 at Allen Fieldhouse next season.”
Self made this decision after consulting with his family, especially considering the health problems he has experienced in recent seasons.
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Self dealt with chest tightness and balance issues in 2013 that caused him to be hospitalized and miss the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments. He had two stents placed to treat blocked arteries.
In July 2025, Self was hospitalized because he felt unwell. He was reportedly experiencing “concerning symptoms,” which led to another surgery to have a stent inserted. He was later released from the hospital and coached the Jayhawks this year.
The school had stated that Self missed the game against Colorado in January and was hospitalized as a precaution.
Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self watches his team play in the second half against the Houston Cougars during the Big 12 Tournament semifinals at T-Mobile Center on March 13, 2026 in Kansas City, Mo. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Jayhawks in the NCAA Tournament against St. He lost to St. John’s, which naturally left reporters wondering what Self thought about his future.
“I’m going to go back and visit my family,” Self said, via ESPN. “Of course, I’ve had some health issues off the field. And that will be discussed. But I love what I do. I still want to feel good doing it.”
Self has been the head coach of college basketball since the 1993-94 season, starting 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 won two national championships in his 23 seasons with the Jayhawks, the most recent coming in 2022. Kansas also advanced to the Final Four four times under his leadership.
Kansas head coach Bill Self reacts to the team’s encounter with 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)
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Self has a 648-167 record with Kansas in 815 games. He also had 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 immediately begin working to build another Kansas roster that he hopes to build even deeper in March Madness next season.
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