The University of Kansas men’s basketball program officially announced today the hiring of former Jayhawk great and NBA head coach Jacque Vaughn as an assistant coach. The move brings one of the most beloved figures in Kansas basketball history back to Allen Fieldhouse, where his number 11 hangs in the rafters.
Vaughn, a two-time All-American and 1996 Big Eight Player of the Year at Kansas, brings a wealth of high-level experience to Bill Self’s staff. He carved out a 12-year playing career in the NBA, including a championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2007. More recently, Vaughn has built an impressive coaching resume, serving as head coach for both the Orlando Magic and the Brooklyn Nets, where he coached NBA All-Stars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Vaughn’s return fills a significant vacancy left by the recent retirement of longtime assistant Norm Roberts. His unique background as both an elite college player and an NBA head coach is expected to provide invaluable insights and mentorship to current and future Jayhawks, particularly as the program looks to rebound from a recent NCAA Tournament exit and continue attracting top-tier talent.
During his collegiate career, Vaughn was celebrated for his exceptional court vision and leadership, leaving Kansas as the Big Eight Conference’s all-time assists leader. He was also a two-time Academic All-American First Team selection, underscoring his commitment to excellence both on and off the court.
The addition of Vaughn appears to be a strategic move to infuse new energy and a professional perspective into a veteran coaching staff. With recent recruiting misses and offensive struggles, the hope seems to be that Vaughn can provide assistance is modernizing the program. Of course, with no collegiate coaching experience, that does present some degree of a gamble. This move will surely excite the Jayhawk faithful, but time will tell what type of impact it has on the program.