Bill Self to return as Kansas Jayhawks basketball coach

kansas Men’s basketball coach Bill Self is set to return to the sidelines for the 2026-27 season, he announced Wednesday.

Sway said in a statement That he is “focused and committed to Kansas” and “competing for a national championship.”

His announcement comes more than a week after Self said Discuss your coaching future with your family After dealing with several health issues in recent years.

“This decision comes with new clarity and the continued support of our administration,” Self said in a statement.

He added: “I look forward to seeing and hearing the best fans in college basketball next season at Allen Fieldhouse.”

Self’s announcement will draw a collective exhale around Lawrence, where the Hall of Fame coach has won two national championships and reached four Final Fours since arriving in 2003.

His return is important for the game, as he is one of the most renowned coaches in the country. He has won 855 games as a head coach in a 33-year career oral roberts, tulsa, Illinois And Kansas.

Self, 63, spent a significant amount of time this week discussing his health and future with people close to him before reaching any decision. He Missed a game in Colorado In January he was taken to hospital “out of an abundance of caution” due to bad weather, the school said at the time.

In 2023, he missed the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments after being hospitalized due to chest tightness and balance concerns. He underwent heart catheterization and two stents were placed to treat blocked arteries.

Last July, Self was hospitalized after feeling unwell and experiencing “some worrisome symptoms,” according to the school. he had to go through another Procedure to insert two stents and was released after two days.

Partly because of those health problems, Self later said Kansas’ season-ending loss To st johns At the NCAA Tournament he had not decided whether he would return the following season.

“I will come back and meet the family,” he said at the time. “Obviously, I have some issues off the court health-wise. And that will be discussed. But I love what I do. However, I want to feel good while doing it.”

Self’s decision to return comes just days before college basketball programs prepare to determine their rosters for the 2026-27 season. The NCAA transfer portal opens on Tuesday, the day after the men’s national championship game.