Bill Self health scare, explained: Why Kansas coach was hospitalized during 2025-26 season
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Bill Self health scare, explained: Why Kansas coach was hospitalized during 2025-26 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Despite failing to reach the expectations it set for itself in prior seasons, Kansas remained one of college basketball's most-talked about teams in 2025-26.
Some of that revolved around on-court concerns. Darryn Peterson struggled to find health in the nascent moments of his collegiate career, ambling to the sidelines in a number of appearances. He has found his form as of late. But the images seared into the heads of college basketball enthusiasts.
Peterson wasn't the only Jayhawk facing health concerns. His head coach, Bill Self, was briefly hospitalized after experiencing chest issues in January. Self, 63, has dealt with chronic heart problems since 2023, undergoing two procedures in the hopes to alleviate his symptoms. His latest setback, taking place mere months after he last went under the knife, sent shockwaves around the college basketball world, leading some to speculate on whether he was capable of leading his team in the future.
With that, here's a look back at Self's last health scare.
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Bill Self health scare
Self missed the Jayhawks' Jan. 20 bout with Colorado after being hospitalized one day earlier out of a caution. He was taken to the hospital after experiencing "abnormal chest issues", he revealed while speaking on his weekly radio show, "Hawk Talk."
Doctors determined that he was experiencing dehydration and AFib, an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to blood clots in the heart, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Self has experienced the condition before. He said the arrhythmia prevented him from boarding the team plane for Boulder, effectively forcing him to bow out of Kansas' fixture.
Jacque Vaughan filled in for Self, who led the Jayhawks to a six-point win in his absence. Self said if he didn't have to travel via plane, he would've coached the Jayhawks that day.
“I've been checked out thoroughly. I actually feel good,” Self said, according to ESPN. “I'm good to go. I could coach today. I could have coached last night, but they didn't want me to fly.”
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16 vs. 1 | 15 vs. 2 | 14 vs. 3 | 13 vs. 4 | 12 vs. 5
What is Bill Self's illness?
Self has dealt with heart issues over the past few years. He has gone through a few bouts of AFib. He's also dealt with blocked arteries. He has had four stents inserted into his arteries since 2023.
Bill Self health history
Self has endured a fair few health issues over the years. In 2023, he missed the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments after being admitted into a hospital for chest tightness and balance concerns. Doctors inserted a catheter into his heart to relieve blockage in his arteries. He also had two stents placed in in his arteries.
In July 2025, Self was hospitalized once more after experiencing "some concerning symptoms" related to his heart. He had an additional two stents inserted into his heart before being released two days later.
MORE: Bill Self heart procedure, explained
Bill Self weight loss
Self sought out some lifestyle changes following his 2025 heart procedure. He cut down on his alcohol intake and stopped eating red meat, fast food, yellow cheese and sweets. He also committed to a workout regimen. By the start of the regular season, Self dropped 20 pounds, embracing "healthy habits."
"I found out it’s a lot easier when you have healthy habits,” Self said. "I was an emotional eater. I'd eat because of the stress before game and then I'd eat after a game. Those kids can eat four big meals a day, and I was trying to do the same thing."
SN AWARDS: All-America team | Player of the Year | Coach of the Year
Will Bill Self retire?
The internet has ran rife with rumors that Self could step away from the sport over the past few years. Self didn't completely dismiss the rumors when he spoke with reporters ahead of the 2026 Big 12 tournament. But he didn't confirm them, either.
“There are a lot of things out there … all it takes is for one person to say it and then it’s your guys’ job to follow up on that one person,” Self said. “But I wouldn’t believe what social media or the internet is saying. I actually feel pretty good and I’m really excited about the next (hopefully) several weeks, whatever it can be.”
Another report asked if uncertainty over Self's future affected his ability to recruit. Self was adamant that wasn't the case.
“The only people that have asked me about it is you guys (the media),” Self said. “But no, I haven’t had to address it one time with anybody.”
All told, everything is on the table for Self in 2026. He's found a way to overcome his maladies thus far in his career. But only time will tell if the 63-year-old feels compelled to continuing grasping the tactical clipboard in the years to come.
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