Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts in the first half against the St. John’s Red Storm during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images After discussing his coaching future with family, Bill Self announced Wednesday that he will return as Kansas coach for the 2026-27 season.
Self, 63, indicated he still has the desire to coach the Jayhawks to the highest level possible.
“Jayhawk Nation, with renewed clarity and the ongoing support from our administration, I remain focused and committed to Kansas Basketball competing for a National Championship,” Self said in a statement posted by the school on social media. “I look forward to seeing and hearing the best fans in college basketball next season at Allen Fieldhouse.”
Self has won two national titles during 23 seasons at Kansas since arriving in 2003 but he has battled health-related issues in recent seasons.
In 2023, he missed the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments due to a significant heart issue. He had two stents inserted to clear blocked arteries.
He had another two stents inserted in July 2025.
In mid-January of the just-concluded season, Self was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital after he felt unwell and ultimately received IV fluids and did not travel with the team for a game at Colorado.
After Kansas (24-11) lost to St. John’s in the second round of this season’s NCAA Tournament, Self said he would discuss the situation with his family before making a decision.
The Jayhawks won national titles in 2008 and 2022 under Self. But since the second championship, Kansas has gone 68-35 with three straight double-digit loss campaigns, the first time that has occurred since the late 1980s.
With the Jayhawks, Self owns a 648-167 record and has made the NCAA Tournament field each season.
Self has an 855-272 career record with his other stints coming at Oral Roberts (1993-97), Tulsa (1997-2000) and Illinois (2000-2003).
He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
–Field Level Media
