Kansas head coach Bill Self was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Monday afternoon after feeling under the weather, according to a statement from the university. Out of an abundance of caution, Self received IV fluids and is reportedly feeling better-but he did not travel with the team to Boulder for their Tuesday night matchup against Colorado.
The Jayhawks left Lawrence on Monday for the late-night tipoff, scheduled for 10 p.m. CT.
While the timing of Self’s absence is certainly notable, it’s not unprecedented. This marks the first game he’s missed due to health reasons since the 2023 NCAA Tournament, when he was sidelined following a heart procedure.
This latest development comes in the context of an ongoing series of health concerns for the Hall of Fame coach. On July 24, 2025, Self was also hospitalized after experiencing what the school called “concerning symptoms.” That visit resulted in the placement of two stents-his second such procedure in just over two years.
Back in March 2023, Self had two stents inserted after experiencing chest tightness just before the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. That incident forced him to miss the entire 2023 postseason, a significant absence for a coach who’s become synonymous with March basketball.
Even earlier, in the fall of 2022, Self underwent an aortic valve replacement-an important procedure that followed Kansas’ national championship run. In past interviews, he’s spoken candidly about his health journey, acknowledging the seriousness of each event while maintaining his commitment to coaching and his team.
For now, the Jayhawks will take the court in Colorado without their leader on the sideline. While Self’s absence is always felt, the focus remains on his recovery-and the hope that he’ll be back soon, doing what he does best: leading one of college basketball’s premier programs.