Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks
Bill Self Shuts Down Retirement Talk Amid Kansas’ Struggles
Despite a challenging season for Kansas basketball, head coach Bill Self has made one thing abundantly clear—he’s not going anywhere.
With the Jayhawks currently sitting sixth in the Big 12 at 10-7 (19-9 overall), speculation about Self’s future has been growing. But when asked directly if he was considering retirement, he needed just one word to shut it down.
“No.”
That was Self’s response to NJ Advance Media’s Adam Zagoria on Wednesday, putting an end to the rumors in the bluntest way possible.
A Tough Season in Lawrence
It hasn’t been an easy year for Kansas. Injuries, inconsistency, and the relentless competition in the Big 12 have left the Jayhawks playing catch-up rather than setting the pace. It’s a rare position for a program that has long dominated the conference, and naturally, questions about Self’s long-term future have surfaced.
But for a coach with nothing left to prove, stepping away isn’t on the agenda.
At 62 years old, Self remains one of the most accomplished and respected figures in college basketball. His résumé speaks for itself—two national championships (2008, 2022), four Final Fours, eight Big 12 Tournament titles, and two AP Coach of the Year awards. He’s already a Hall of Famer (inducted in 2017), yet he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Reasons for Optimism
While this season may not be up to Kansas’ usual standards, there’s plenty of hope for the future. The Jayhawks have an elite recruiting class on the way, highlighted by Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 player in the 2025 class. With top-tier talent set to arrive in Lawrence, Self has every reason to keep coaching.
So, while outside speculation may continue, his message remains crystal clear: Bill Self isn’t done yet.
