Bill Self isn’t ready to hear the retirement talk.
With his 24th season at Kansas about to begin, the Jayhawks’ coach made it plain at Big 12 Media Days on Tuesday that he is not treating this year like a farewell tour, even after the health concerns and recent March struggles that have prompted questions about how much longer he’ll keep doing this.
“I’m certainly not thinking like [this season] is my last,” Self said. “I know I’m on the back nine, but whether it’s 14 or 16, I don’t know what hole I’m on right now. A lot depends on how we feel, and as long as we play well, I’ll feel a lot better.”
That answer fit the same coach Kansas has known for more than two decades: direct, competitive and still clearly wired for the job. For freshman Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 recruit in the country, that edge shows up every day in the gym.
“He has the passion that I have for the game,” Stokes said. “Some coaches might be chill and laid back, but every day he comes into the gym, and you can tell that he has a passion for the game.”
Kansas guard Kohl Rosario pointed to Self’s basketball IQ as a major part of his growth, saying the way he plays will be “going to be a reflection of what he’s taught me.”
The respect doesn’t stop inside the Kansas locker room. Around the Big 12, Self’s name still carries major weight, and several opposing coaches were quick to put his career in perspective.
Baylor’s Scott Drew, who has been at his school since the 2003-2004 season just like Self, has spent years trying to solve the Jayhawks.
“Coach Self and I came into the Big 12 together, and I’ve learned a lot throughout the years competing against him,” Drew said. “When you compete against the best, you get better, and he’s the best.”
Colorado head coach Tad Boyle, a former Jayhawk player who later coached against Self at Oklahoma State, called the run at Kansas a one-of-a-kind achievement.
“With what he’s done with the program, and the way he’s elevated it with two national championships, it’s a storybook career,” Boyle said. “As a former player at Kansas, to have him elevate that program the way he has is amazing.”
Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland, who is 2-1 against Self since taking over the Red Raiders, said the bigger picture goes far beyond one head-to-head record.
“His dominance in the Big 12, I don’t think will ever be repeated,” McCasland said. “He’s legendary, obviously for that, and for having his teams to compete the way they have.”
McCasland also praised the way Self carries himself, while Iowa State coach TJ Otzelberger named him on his Mount Rushmore of college coaches.
“I think Bill Self has done so much for all of us,” Otzelberger said. “He’s been for the coaches, he’s been for the student-athletes, he’s done a lot for our industry, our profession, and specifically this conference, so we’re all very grateful to him.”
Kansas athletic director Travis Goff echoed that sentiment and said Self’s reach goes well beyond the sideline.
“Bill is synonymous with excellence, and he’s synonymous with Kansas, but his impact transcends far beyond basketball,” Goff said. “We’re so thankful for all he’s done, and more importantly, we’re so excited for what we think will be some of his best days ahead on the bench.”
Kansas is set to face Louisville in an exhibition at Allen Fieldhouse on Wednesday at 6 p.m. CDT. The game will be streamed on ESPNU.
In Other News...
Louisville Just Exposed A Kansas Concern Fans Cant Ignore
Kansas got a useful early look at itself in an 89-83 exhibition loss at home to No. 11 Louisville, and the result came with the kind of warning signs that can get buried in preseason optimism. The Jayhawks led at halftime, then watched the game tilt after the break as Louisville played with more force and confidence, while Tre White put together a game-high 25 points to help swing the night.
For a fan base already watching how the roster pieces fit, the second half raised questions about the edge and consistency Kansas can expect from this group. There were also some notable moments tied to former player Flory Bidunga, along with uneven showings from Keanu Dawes and Tyran Stokes, leaving the Jayhawks with plenty to sort through before the games start counting for real. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Fans Have Seen This Freshman Guard Scare Before
Kansas preseason loss to No. 11 Louisville came with a brief scare for the Jayhawks, as freshman guard Taylen Kinney had to leave the game early after dealing with cramps. Head coach Bill Self said Kinney received IV fluids, and the early read from the staff was encouraging enough that the situation did not sound like a major concern.
Kinney is expected to keep playing, which is the part Kansas fans will care about most after watching one of the teams newcomers head to the sideline. Leroy Blyden Jr. is set to start the next game, giving the Jayhawks a chance to keep sorting out their backcourt rotation while they move on from an exhibition loss that still offered a few uneasy moments. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas May Finally Have The Shooting Fix Fans Have Wanted
Kansas spent much of last season searching for more reliable spacing, and this roster looks built to address that problem. Between a reloaded group of newcomers, a few proven transfer shooters and a freshman with a reputation for knocking down shots from the outside, the Jayhawks suddenly have the kind of depth on the perimeter that can change how defenses play them. Coaches and players have pointed to scrimmages and practices as early signs that this group can stretch the floor better and make life easier for everyone else on the court.
What makes the outlook more interesting is that the shooting boost does not seem tied to just one specialist. Kansas has more playmaking and more versatility around the floor, which should create cleaner looks and keep teams from loading up inside. The bigger question now is how quickly all of those pieces settle in once the games start counting, because the promise is there even if the real answer will only show up over time. [Read more 🡒]