Bill Self is officially back. The retirement rumors were officially laid to rest, as the longtime Kansas head coach announced his return for a season.
"With renewed clarity and the ongoing support from our administration, I remain focused and committed to Kansas basketball competing for a national championship," Self said. "I look forward to seeing and hearing the best fans in college basketball next season at Allen Fieldhouse."
Music to Jayhawks fans' ears.
Not as much for Kansas State fanatics. While there's still a level of mutual respect for the Kansas legend, it's difficult for the Wildcats to stomach their arch-nemesis coming back to continue ruling over them. The Jayhawks are 44-9 against Kansas State since Self took the helm in 2003, illustrating Self's part in the program's yearly demise.
The most recent displays were blowout losses, adding to a miserable 2025-26 season. From Melvin Council Jr. dancing half-court at Bramlage Coliseum to Darryn Peterson's best shooting performance all season, it was just the latest illustration of Self's dominance over the Wildcats for the last two decades.
Will it continue next season? Hopefully not. Kansas State hired coach Casey Alexander after removing Jerome Tang mid-way through the season. A season graced with Tournament hopes quickly turned into a disaster. It only worsened when Tang went on a viral rant claiming the players wouldn't return to the team the next season. The Wildcats needed a change at the top, which led them to hire Alexander after his successful tenure at Belmont.
He posted a 166-60 record in his seven years as the head coach with multiple Missouri Valley Conference (regular season) championships. Hopefully, Alexander can shift Kansas State's recent direction and establish it as a true Tournament contender.
And with that, get the Wildcats back into a true rival for Kansas instead of a pushover.
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