Kansas Basketball Coach Bill Self’s Health Scare: What the Stent Procedure Means for His Future on and off the Court

Bill Self, the heartbeat behind Kansas basketball, faced a tough Thursday at Lawrence Memorial Hospital where he underwent a procedure to insert two stents to clear blocked arteries after some alarming symptoms knocked on his door. At 62, Self, who recently wrapped up the Jayhawks’ final summer practice prepping for his 23rd season, showed incredible grit—especially considering he had missed last year’s Big 12 and NCAA tournaments due to similar heart issues. The Kansas athletic department gave us some much-needed peace of mind, saying the procedure was a home run and that Self’s already on the mend, sporting good spirits and aiming for a quick release. For those who’ve followed him, Self’s no stranger to pressure. With two national championships under his belt from 2008 and 2022, and standing tall as Kansas’ top-winning coach at 609-156, plus the honor of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, his passion for the game is unmistakable. As he prepares to take the court again, all eyes will be on his road back to full strength and glory. LEARN MORE

Self has led Kansas to national titles in 2008 and 2022 and is the school’s career victory leader with a 609-156 record. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017, the former Oklahoma State player also coached at Oral Roberts, Tulsa and Illinois.
The 62-year-old Self directed the final practice of the summer session Thursday morning as he prepares for his 23rd seasons as head coach of the Jayhawks. He missed the 2023 Big 12 and NCAA tournaments because of a heart condition, getting a standard catheterization and having two stents inserted to help treat blocked arteries.LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas basketball coach Bill Self had two stents inserted into his heart to treat blocked arteries Thursday at Lawrence Memorial Hospital after he “felt unwell and experienced some concerning symptoms.”“The procedure went very well, and he is expected to make a full recovery,” the Kansas athletic department said in a statement. “He is in good spirits and expects to be released from the hospital soon.”