SAN DIEGO
Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self says he’s not yet made up his mind on whether he’ll coach a 24th season in Lawrence.
The 63-year-old Hall of Famer explained his thoughts on his future after the Jayhawks’ 67-65 NCAA Tournament Round of 32 loss to St. John’s on Sunday at Viejas Arena.
If he does not return, it would be because of health issues.
Though he said he’s feeling “as good as I’ve felt in a long time,” he’s had heart problems dating to the fall of 2022.
“No, I haven’t decided (on returning),” Self said after his No. 4 seed Jayhawks lost on a buzzer-beating layup by the No. 5 seed Red Storm’s Dylan Darling. “I’ll get back and visit with family. I’ve had obviously some issues off the court health-wise. And that will be discussed. But I love what I do. I want to feel good while I’m doing it, though. We’ll get back and we’ll discuss that when we get back.”
A reporter asked Self if he needs to reflect upon the next stage of his career “given what you’ve gone through on and off the court.”
“I haven’t really gone through much on the court. I’ve gone through some stuff off the court,” said Self, who has won two national titles at KU. His squad hasn’t survived the first weekend of the NCAA’s, however, for the last four years.
Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks looks on during the second half against the St. John’s Red Storm in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 22, 2026 in San Diego. Sean M. Haffey Getty Images
“So I’ll get back and get with family and visit and see what’s going on,” Self continued. “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. I’ll get back home and it will all be discussed.”
The Star asked Self if he’s “going through anything now? Are you completely healthy?”
“I don’t know about completely,” he said with a smile. “But I’m feeling — I feel as good as I’ve felt in a long time. I’m not making any statements whatsoever. But every year … when you get to be doing it as long as I’ve done it, I look at it in five-year increments. Now I’m probably looking at it in more two-year increments, so to speak.”
This story was originally published March 22, 2026 at 8:13 PM.
Related Stories from Kansas City Star
Gary Bedore
The Kansas City Star
Gary Bedore covers KU basketball for The Kansas City Star. He has written about the Jayhawks since 1978 — during the Ted Owens, Larry Brown, Roy Williams and Bill Self eras. He has won the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year award and KPA writing awards.
