Kansas coach Bill Self said he has made no decision about retirement, despite persistent rumors that say otherwise.
Self, who just completed his 23rd season with the Jayhawks, told the Kansas City Star on Wednesday that any reports of his imminent retirement are false.
“No news. All b.s. Bad info,” he told the newspaper via text message and said he would make no more comments.
The Jayhawks’ season ended Sunday with a 67-65 loss to St. John’s in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
After that game, he said he had not decided whether he would return to Lawrence for the 2026-27 season. He said he would talk with his family and take a long look at his health before making a decision.
Self, 63, has faced health issues in the past few years.
In 2023, he was hospitalized with chest tightness and had two stents inserted to treat blocked arteries in his heart, causing him to miss the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments. He had another two stents inserted in July 2025.
In mid-January, he 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.
“I love what I do; I need to be able to do it where I’m feeling good and healthy to do it fairly well,” Self said Sunday after the game in San Diego. “I’ll get back home, and it’ll all be discussed.”
Self has an 855-272 career record with Oral Roberts (1993-97), Tulsa (1997-2000), Illinois (2000-2003) and Kansas. The Jayhawks finished this season 24-11 (12-6 Big 12).
With the Jayhawks, he owns a 648-167 record and has made the NCAA Tournament field each season.
Kansas won national titles in 2008 and 2022 with Self at the helm. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
–Field Level Media
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