Bill Self announces return to Kansas sideline, set for 24th season despite health issues

He mulled retirement, but Bill Self won’t beryllium ending his assemblage coaching vocation conscionable yet. 

Self announced helium volition beryllium returning to the Kansas Jayhawks' sideline for the 2026-27 season.

"With renewed clarity and the ongoing enactment from our administration, I stay focused and committed to Kansas hoops competing for a nationalist championship," Self’s connection said. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Head manager Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks walks crossed the tribunal earlier a crippled against the Texas Tech Red Raiders astatine United Supermarkets Arena Feb. 2, 2026, successful Lubbock, Texas. (John E. Moore III/Getty Images)

"I look guardant to seeing and proceeding the champion fans successful assemblage hoops adjacent play astatine Allen Fieldhouse."

Self made the determination aft consulting with his family, particularly considering his wellness issues successful caller seasons. 

UCONN MEN'S BASKETBALL HOPING FOR CHAMPIONSHIP TRANSFER MAGIC ONCE AGAIN

Self has dealt with thorax tightness and equilibrium concerns, which resulted successful a hospitalization successful 2013, forcing him to miss the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments. He had 2 stents placed for attraction of blocked arteries. 

In July 2025, Self was admitted to a infirmary aft feeling ill. He was reportedly experiencing "concerning symptoms," starring to different country to person stents inserted. He was aboriginal released from a infirmary and coached the Jayhawks this year. 

Self did miss a crippled successful January against Colorado, erstwhile helium was taken to a infirmary arsenic a precaution, the schoolhouse noted astatine the time. 

Head manager Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks watches his squad play against the Houston Cougars successful the 2nd fractional during the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament astatine T-Mobile Center March 13, 2026, successful Kansas City, Mo. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

The Jayhawks fell to St. John’s successful the NCAA Tournament, which led reporters to people wonderment what Self had successful caput astir his future. 

"I’ll get backmost and sojourn with the family," Self said, via ESPN. "I’ve had, obviously, immoderate issues disconnected the tribunal health-wise. And that volition beryllium discussed. But I emotion what I do. I privation to consciousness bully portion I’m doing it, though."

Self has been a assemblage hoops caput manager since the 1993-94 season, starting his tenure with Oral Roberts. After stops astatine Tulsa and Illinois, Self joined Kansas for the 2003-04 season, and helium hasn’t near since. 

Self has won 2 nationalist championships successful his 23 seasons with the Jayhawks, his astir caller coming successful 2022. Kansas has besides reached the Final Four 4 times nether his leadership. 

Kansas caput manager Bill Self reacts arsenic the squad plays California Baptist during the archetypal fractional successful the archetypal circular of the NCAA Tournament March 20, 2026, successful San Diego.  (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In 815 games, Self owns a 648-167 grounds with Kansas. He besides has 855 wins arsenic a caput manager successful his 33-year career, which includes 27 NCAA Tournament appearances. 

With the NCAA transportation portal opening April 7, Self volition beryllium close backmost to enactment gathering different Kansas roster helium hopes to get deeper successful March Madness adjacent season. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.