The Kansas Jayhawks have been one of the premier college basketball programs in the country over the past several years, led by head coach Bill Self.
Last season, Kansas entered the year as the No. 1 team in the AP preseason poll.
The Jayhawks were expected to compete for a national title, behind one of the top players in the nation, Hunter Dickinson, but they struggled.
Kansas was defeated in the third round of the Big 12 championship, falling at the hands of Caleb Love and Arizona.
They entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed and wound up being upset by John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks.
After the season, the Jayhawks made a key coaching move, looking to revamp their staff in hopes of bouncing back from a head-scratching year.
Kansas hired Jacque Vaughn as an assistant coach.
“Welcome home, Jacque Vaughn,” posted the official social media account of the Kansas Jayhawks. “The Kansas great returns to Lawrence as an assistant coach.”
Upon the release of the announcement, Kansas head coach Bill Self revealed his thoughts on the coaching staff decision from the Jayhawks.
“We’re very excited to welcome Jacque and (his wife) Laura into the fold,” Self said, per release. “I’ve known Jacque from a distance for several years now and have always admired how he has conducted himself professionally and how he has treated people. I think he will be an excellent addition to our program, while also serving as a great mentor, coach and representative of Kansas basketball. We lost an awesome coach in Norm (Roberts) when he retired but feel very fortunate to have replaced him with a tremendous Jayhawk that has a unique and impressive resume.”
Welcome home, Jacque Vaughn 🔴🔵
The Kansas great returns to Lawrence as an assistant coach
🔗→ https://t.co/gzenBGLGyQpic.twitter.com/r0ub4eIXwj
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) May 21, 2025
Jacque Vaughn also had some words on his return to Kansas, having played for the Jayhawks from 1993 to 1997.
“I’m truly honored and overwhelmed with excitement to return to my alma mater and join Coach Self’s staff as an assistant coach.” Vaughn said. “The game of basketball has provided me the incredible privilege to mentor, coach, and compete alongside some of the best in the game. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring those experiences back to the school that means so much to me. It’s a blessing to once again be part of the Jayhawk tradition.”
Aside from being a former point guard at the University of Kanas, Jacque Vaughn also has extensive experience in the coaching realm.
He started his journey as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs in 2010. After a few stops with the Orlando Magic and the Brooklyn Nets, serving as the Nets’ head coach from 2022 to 2024, Vaughn is headed back to the college ranks.
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