Bill Self speaks on health issues and recommits to Kansas as head coach

Kansas coach Bill Self had to undergo a heart procedure the night before the Big 12 Tournament.

The legendary coach was forced to remain away from the team for the duration of the Big 12 Tournament and the two games the Jayhawks played in the NCAA Tournament. While Self was able to rejoin the team and attend practices, he did not step back on the sideline or undergo media obligations during the tournament.

This is set to change next season as Bill Self provided an optimistic update regarding his health. The 60-year-old talked about how he did not feel up to coaching during the tournament but that he has exercised daily and is on the mend. Self said he hated being a distraction for the team before proclaiming he will be back coaching as normal next season.

"I am 100% positive I will be coaching at the University of Kansas this upcoming season, and hopefully many more after that," Self said.

Kansas' 2023-24 outlook

The Jayhawks (28-8) did not reach their tournament goals this season, but there is still a positive outlook for next season. After entering the NCAA Tournament as the top seed in the West region, Kansas, the defending national champion, was upset 72-71 by No. 8 seed Arkansas in the second round.

The 2023-24 roster will be much different as the program is set to lose freshman Grady Dick, senior Kevin McCullar and junior Jalen Wilson to the NBA draft. Dick is expected to be a lottery pick, with Wilson also having a chance to hear his name in the first round. It also cannot be ruled out that some players elect to leave in the transfer portal.

A strong recruiting class is coming in as combo guards Elmarko Jackson, Chris Johnson and Jamari McDowell are each committed to the program. Kansas is considered to have the 10th-best recruiting class in the country and second-best in the Big 12.

Bill Self will surely capitalize on the roster regardless of what it looks like. In his 20 years at Kansas, he has an impressive record of 580-132. Kansas has won an NCAA record 14-straight Big 12 titles and a pair of NCAA championships. With his heart catheterization in his rear-view mirror, Self will look to get back to leading the program to the successful standard that has been established.