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 reports surrounded him last season

Oct 21, 2026

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Among the most significant stories ahead of the 2026 college basketball season was whether Kansas coach Bill Self would retire or return for a minimum of another season. Weeks after the Jayhawks lost to St. John’s in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament, Self put the retirement reports to bed and revealed he would be returning for the 2026-27 season.

At Big 12 Media Day on Tuesday, Self was asked what his message would lead his 24th season at Kansas, where he resolved retirement reports and stated he is “certainly not thinking” like it’s his last season training the Jayhawks.

“What my legacy is, hopefully what we do this year and what we do next year,” Self stated. “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 went into the 2025-26 season with a massive quantity of buzz surrounding the program due to the arrival of luxury guard Darryn Peterson, the No. 1-ranked gamer in the 2025 recruiting cycle by 247Sports. Peterson represented the 3rd top-ranked high school gamer to bet Self at Kansas, however expectations failed.

Trey Kaufman-Renn indications with Kansas: Former Purdue star is looking for unmatched 6th year of eligibility

Cameron Salerno

Peterson revealed flashes of why he was the No. 2 general choice in the 2026 NBA Drafthis season was at times eclipsed by constraining problems that sidelined him for 12 video games. Peterson played well throughout the stretch run in March, however Kansas stopped working to make it out of the very first weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the 3rd successive season.

After losing to St. John’s, there were concerns about whether that would be the last video game the Hall of Fame coach was on the sidelines for. The offseason that followed Self’s dedication to another season saw Kansas land Tyran Stokes– the top-ranked gamer in the 2026 recruiting cycle by 247Sports– and, most just recently, include Tre White, Melvin Council Jr., and Trey Kaufman-Renn to the lineup.

What are the expectations for Kansas this season?

White and Council, who were both on Kansas’ lineup last season, are both looking for a 5th year of eligibility. Kaufman-Renn, who invested the last 5 seasons at Purdue, is hoping to be given a 6th year to play for the Jayhawks. If Kaufman-Renn is cleared, it would offer Kansas a vibrant duo with among the very best power forwards in the sport, along with Stokes, who was voted as a preseason First-Team All-American by CBS Sports.

The lineup building and construction before including those gamers was dirty at finest. The Jayhawks did not have experience in the frontcourtwith Kansas predicted to begin Christian Reeves (19 profession starts) and Paul Mbiya (21 profession video games) before landing Kaufman-Renn. Reeves, who moved in from Charleston this offseason, went through shoulder surgical treatment previously this offseason however played in Kansas’ very first exhibit video game versus Pittsburg State.

Kansas was ranked No. 17 in the preseason AP Top 25 survey, which might be too low if Kaufman-Renn, White and Council are all certainly qualified. The Jayhawks have crucial exhibit video games versus Louisville (preseason ranked No. 11) on Wednesday and Duke (No. 2) on Sunday. Kansas went up to No. 5 in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 preseason rankings.

The Jayhawks open the season versus Fordham in the house (Nov. 2) before dealing with No. 23 Kentucky in the Champions Classic in the 3rd video game of the season. Kansas likewise has crucial nonconference video games versus Missouri, Villanova, UConn and Ohio State before Big 12 play starts.

Kansas’ 2026-27 forecasted beginning lineup

The Jayhawks might have among the very best beginning lineups in the country if Trey Kauffman-Renn stays qualified to play this season.

• G: Melvin Council Jr
• G: Tre White
• F: Tyran Stokes
• F: Keanu Dawes
• F: Trey Kaufman-Renn

Leading bench choices: G Taylen Kinney, G Leroy Blyden Jr., G Kohl Rosario, C Christian Reeves, G Dennis Parker Jr., C Paul Mbiya, G Luke Barnett, G Trent Perry, F Davion Adkins