Kansas' Bill Self knows retirement rumors persist, but is 'certainly not thinking like it's my last' season

Self is returning for his 24th season at Kansas after retirement rumors surrounded him last season One of the biggest storylines ahead of the 2026 college basketball season was whether Kansas coach Bill Self would retire or return for at least another season. Weeks after the Jayhawks lost to St. John's in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Self put the retirement rumors to bed and announced he would be returning for the 2026-27 season. At Big 12 Media Day on Tuesday, Self was asked what his message would be ahead of his 24th season at Kansas, where he addressed retirement rumors and said he is "certainly not thinking" like it's his last season coaching the Jayhawks.

"What my legacy is, hopefully what we do this year and what we do next year," Self said. "Lot of great coaches in this league. … I'm certainly not thinking like it's my last (season). I know I'm on the back nine, but I don't (know) whether it's 14 or 16. I don't know what hole I'm on right now. A lot depends on how we feel. As long as we play well, I will feel a lot better." Kansas entered the 2025-26 season with an enormous amount of hype surrounding the program due to the arrival of five-star guard Darryn Peterson,