Kansas basketball coach Bill Self finds himself under some unusual pressure entering the 2025-26 season, following the Jayhawks' first loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in nearly two decades.
The talented team Self built, considered No. 1 in the country by many when last season began, never looked like a cohesive unit. Kansas might not have the same level of veteran talent this season, but the hope is that a more balanced group led by freshman standout Darryn Peterson can bring the Jayhawks some renewed success in March.
For Self, health might have to be the priority before coaching after he underwent heart surgery on Thursday.
Here's what you need to know about Self's emergency procedure and his timeline to get back on the sidelines.
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Bill Self heart procedure
Self was hospitalized on Thursday after experiencing "concerning symptoms," according to a statement released by Kansas, and he underwent a procedure to insert two stents into his heart.
Self is doing well and expects to be released from the hospital soon, the school said Thursday.
Kansas has released a statement regarding Bill Self. pic.twitter.com/n5U1TCwpch
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 24, 2025
The ailment is Self's second heart-related issue in the last handful of years, as he missed the Big 12 Tournament and NCAA Tournament in 2023 after dealing with chest tightness and lightheadedness. Self also had two stents inserted after that episode, undergoing a heart catheterization.
What are stents?
A stent is a small, mesh tube inserted into a narrowed or blocked artery to expand it and allow for better blood flow, according to the American Heart Association. Self had two stents inserted in 2023 and two more on Thursday.
There are different types of stents, including stents that dissolve after some time and some that do not. A stent might be required once an artery is 70 percent blocked, according to the AHA.
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Bill Self recovery timeline
Kansas did not reveal any details about Self's recovery timeline other than his expectation of being released from the hospital in the near future. Self missed multiple weeks after his 2023 procedure but had hoped to try to return if the Jayhawks had advanced to the Sweet 16.
Self was released from the hospital on Saturday and released a statement saying he feels "strong" and is looking forward to preparing for the reason.
With the start of the season still more than three months away, there shouldn't be any expectation that Self misses time unless he changes his mind about coaching.
Norm Roberts filled in for Self in 2023 as his top assistant, but Roberts was retired earlier this year and was replaced by former NBA head coach Jacque Vaughn.
How old is Bill Self?
Self is 62 years old; he's set to turn 63 in December. Self is the second-oldest coach in the Big 12, behind only Houston's Kelvin Sampson.
Retirement talk has started to pick up around Self in recent years, fueled by a report from earlier in the year that revealed he strongly considered leaving Kansas for Oklahoma State in 2024. While the Calipari-like bombshell never happened, it left some wondering how long Self has left in the tank at Kansas.
The news of Self's latest heart issue figures to at least keep retirement speculation front-and-center when the 2025-26 season nears a close, though the two-time national champion hopes his season won't end until April.
Self has been Kansas' head coach since the 2003-04 season and has 831 career Division I wins.