Image via USA Today: Bill Self College basketball has seen many legendary coaches, but few have matched the legacy of Bill Self. At the University of Kansas, he has built a powerhouse program, capturing two national championships in 2008 and 2022, several Final Four appearances, and numerous Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles. However, the winningest coach in Kansas history recently faced a serious health scare, requiring a surgical procedure to address blocked arteries.
Bill Self Underwent a Minor Heart Surgery to Address a Lingering Issue
The Jayhawks’ head coach, Bill Self, underwent a heart procedure at Lawrence Memorial Hospital after experiencing discomfort and some concerning symptoms. Doctors discovered blocked arteries and inserted two stents to restore proper blood flow. Fortunately, he is expected to make a full recovery. “The procedure went very well, and he is expected to make a full recovery. He is in good spirits and expects to be released from the hospital soon,” Kansas’ athletic department said in an official statement.The 62-year-old directed the final practice of the summer session on Thursday, as he is set for his 23rd season as head coach of the Jayhawks. For the unversed, this isn’t the first time Bill Self has faced unexpected health issues. In 2023, he missed both the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments after undergoing a heart catheterization to treat blocked arteries.During that stretch, then-assistant coach Norm Roberts stepped in to lead the team. Roberts has since retired, and if Self is forced to miss time during the 2025–26 season, newly hired assistant and former NBA head coach Jacque Vaughn is expected to take over coaching duties.
What Is Bill Self’s Net Worth?
It is safe to say that Bill Self is perhaps the best NCAA Basketball coach in history, with a record of 609-156 since taking over the head coach duties in the 2003-04 season. And this success has definitely resulted in personal fortune as well. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the Jayhawks head coach has an estimated net worth of $30 million. Self also stands among the highest-paid coaches in NCAA history. In November 2023, he signed an amended lifetime contract with the University of Kansas worth a staggering $53 million over five years, averaging about $10.6 million annually. At the time it was signed, it became the richest deal in college basketball history.Originally, Self agreed to a lifetime contract with Kansas on March 31, 2021, but the terms were restructured before the 2023–24 season. Beyond the base salary, the deal includes lucrative performance bonuses. Self earns an additional $50,000 for a Big 12 regular season title, $25,000 for a Big 12 tournament title, and $50,000 simply for reaching the NCAA tournament.
Everything About Bill Self’s Family and Relationships
Bill Self was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and comes from a close-knit, sports-loving family that has played a key role in his life. As reported by Sportskeeda, his father, Bill Self Sr., was a longtime girls’ basketball coach at Morris High School, while his mother, Margaret, was a former player. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2024, highlighting a lifelong bond built on love and basketball.However, Bill Sr. recently passed away at the age of 82. Amidst this tragedy, Self’s mother started attending games of the Jayhawks which became a source of joy for her. Bill’s wife, Cindy, has been his biggest supporter since they met at Oklahoma State University in the 1980s. A former cheerleader and multi-sport athlete in high school, Cindy shares Bill’s passion for athletics. The two married in 1988 and have two children, Lauren and Tyler. Their son, Tyler, continued the family tradition by playing basketball for Kansas for four years.Also read: WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan dies at 71 after reported cardiac arrest