Bill Self Hospitalized After Heart Procedure: Kansas Coach’s Health and Legacy
Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and one of the most accomplished coaches in college basketball history, was recently hospitalized after experiencing concerning symptoms. According to the university, Self, 62, was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where he underwent a successful procedure to have two stents inserted to treat blocked arteries. The school reported that the procedure went very well, and Self is in good spirits, expecting a full recovery and to be released from the hospital soon.
Self’s health scare is not his first; he missed the Big 12 tournament and the NCAA Tournament in March 2023 due to a heart condition, having previously undergone a heart catheterization and an aortic valve replacement. Despite these challenges, Self remains committed to his career and has spoken about how these experiences have renewed his appreciation for coaching and motivated him to adopt healthier lifestyle habits. “I love my job and I want to do my job for a long time,” Self stated after his return, emphasizing the importance of following medical advice.
Bill Self has been at the helm of the Kansas Jayhawks since 2003, returning to the program after coaching stints at Illinois, Tulsa, Oral Roberts, and his alma mater, Oklahoma State. Under his leadership, the Jayhawks have become one of the most dominant programs in college basketball, capturing NCAA national championships in 2008 and 2022, and winning 14 consecutive Big 12 regular-season titles from 2005 to 2018. Kansas has made the NCAA Tournament in every season Self has coached when the event was held, and he recently eclipsed 800 career wins in 32 seasons as a head coach.
Self’s teams are known for their tenacious defense and disciplined play, consistently ranking among the nation’s elite. The Jayhawks, who finished the 2024-25 season with a 21-13 overall record and an 11-9 mark in Big 12 play, are preparing for the upcoming season with high expectations. The preseason exhibition is scheduled for October 24 against Louisville, followed by the regular-season opener on November 3 versus Green Bay. Despite the recent setback, Kansas remains a top contender, ranked 15th in early Top 25 projections for 2025-26.
Should Self need additional time to recover, the Kansas staff is well-equipped with experienced assistants, including longtime coach Kurtis Townsend, veteran Joe Dooley, and new assistant Jacque Vaughn, all capable of guiding the team in his absence. Self’s recent “lifetime” contract extension underscores his value to the program, making him the highest-paid coach in college basketball and solidifying his legacy at Kansas.
As Self continues his recovery, the college basketball community wishes him a swift return to the sidelines, where his leadership, passion, and strategic acumen have left an indelible mark on the sport and the University of Kansas.