Bill Self was absent in the Kansas Jayhawks’ 75-69 win against the Colorado Buffaloes at Coors Events Center, Boulder. The head coach did not travel with the team on the road due to a health scare. Assistant Jacque Vaughn stepped in as acting head coach.
Self was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital after feeling unwell on Jan 19, 2026, and that’s why he didn’t travel with the team. Self received IV fluids and he was released upon feeling better. He was very dehydrated and experienced atrial fibrillation (AFib). Self has already experienced such a thing before. On his weekly radio show, Self informed about the return of abnormal chest issues. Out of caution, he chose to prioritize his health.
“Right before our team was taking off I started feeling some very abnormal chest issues,” Self said. “And I’m thinking, based off what I’ve had before, this can’t be good. So I go down and get looked at and everything and of course they’re getting ready to get on the plane. So I told them, ‘Can I go.’ And they’re going, ‘No you can’t go.’ Because I was experiencing some stuff.
“Come to find out, I was not severely, but very dehydrated and I’ve got AFib. So I just had a bout with that that was pretty significant in a pretty small snippet of time. But it was enough that I couldn’t get on a plane.”
Self also mentioned that he would return to practice court on Thursday and that he feels good to coach the game against Kansas State this week.
“I’ve been checked out thoroughly and actually feel good,” Self said. “I was kind of relieved to know that it was what it was to be honest with you. So I’m good to go, no limitations. I could coach today. I could’ve coached last night. They just didn’t want me flying and being in altitude there. But certainly will be back on the practice court tomorrow without question.”
Bill Self’s Concerning Health History, Especially Heart
Bill Self has a history of cardiac issues.
In 2023, he was hospitalized for chest tightness. At the time, two stents were inserted to treat blocked arteries. Because he was forced to miss the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments that year.
Moreover, in July 2025, he underwent another cardiac procedure, again involving stents to address artery concerns.
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