***** Official ‘25/‘26 KU Men's Basketball Repository Thread *****

[smithandrew051]

Let’s get things back to normal.

Disclaimer:

Any type of argumentative mentions of DH, KJA, or HD will result in a ban from the thread.

Perfectly fine to mention them if it’s relevant to the discussion.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by cmh6476

from mike vernon:

Kansas legend and former NBA head coach Jacque Vaughn is returning to Lawrence as an assistant coach, as reported by Pete Thamel Wednesday*.

*Vaughn’s candidacy and momentum toward completing the deal were first scooped right here at KUHearings.✅

Vaughn starred at KU from 1993-97 and coached for a decade in the NBA, including two stints as an NBA head coach with the Magic and Nets.

The move comes shortly after assistant Norm Roberts retired, ending his 22-year partnership with Bill Self. Kansas targeted Vaughn just days after the announced, signaling Bill Self had already identified his top target.

Vaughn is as credible a hire as possible for KU. He was a two-time All-American for the Jayhawks, played 12 years in the NBA, and has had two stints as an NBA head coach.

For Vaughn, the return to Lawrence represents a homecoming in more ways than one. Not only did he build his basketball legacy at KU, but he also met his wife Laura while they were both students at Kansas.

�� The Big Question
I've been Hearing from multiple sources that Self has been looking to inject fresh approaches into his program, and Vaughn's NBA experience was particularly appealing.

Vaughn taking an assistant college job is a bit of a surprise at face value. But long-term changes for KU basketball are looming.

Bill Self’s time at KU won’t last forever, and it’s possible he’s got one or two years left. Maybe Vaughn wants to feel out the college game. Or maybe he just wants to be coaching and KU is his homecoming opportunity.

But to put it plainly: KU will likely need to hire a head coach at some point in the near future. And it just hired a beloved former player who coached at the game's highest level.

So maybe, just maybe, KU is setting a long-term plan in motion.

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From Pete Thamel.

But just about the absolute best coaching hire we could ask for. TOTALLY different than the old guard and guys we have hired in the past. Knocked it out of the park. The downside is Self really must only be looking to coach for 1 or 2 more years.

[Kiimo]

Like I said, it worked for Duke why can't it work for us

[BWillie]

Go get Williams and we have ourselves a squad. Williams may not be as flashy as Sarr or Stokes but he is probably just as valuable if not more so.

I'm not buying the NY Champions Classic tickets until we get one more real guy. LEGGO KAY YOU

[POND_OF_RED]

Originally Posted by dtrain

Per Pete Thamel ESPN Jayhawks are set to hire Jacque Vaughn.

Mizzou might have to hire Corey Tate back as an assistant now.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by BWillie

From Pete Thamel.

But just about the absolute best coaching hire we could ask for. TOTALLY different than the old guard and guys we have hired in the past. Knocked it out of the park. The downside is Self really must only be looking to coach for 1 or 2 more years.

There is no way that Vaughn wasn't told by Self how long he is planning to coach. And if so, Vaughn makes it clear so..... I am the head coach in waiting, right?

[sedated]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

There is no way that Vaughn wasn't told by Self how long he is planning to coach. And if so, Vaughn makes it clear so..... I am the head coach in waiting, right?

It was nearly 10 years ago but Self did say he didn't want to coach forever like some of his peers.

"I've said all along that if I could go to my late 50s, that'd be good for me," Self told ESPN.com

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...r-coach-age-60

[RustShack]

Was DumbWillie wrong again?

[smithandrew051]

When Self retires, chiefqueen will finally have gotten it right.

Just predict Self’s final year every year, and you’ll eventually get it.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by RustShack

Was DumbWillie wrong again?

What was I wrong about? I didn't say it wouldn't happen. But if it did happen it means that Vaughn is the coach in waiting and Self isn't going to be coaching much longer.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by BWillie

From Pete Thamel.

But just about the absolute best coaching hire we could ask for. TOTALLY different than the old guard and guys we have hired in the past. Knocked it out of the park. The downside is Self really must only be looking to coach for 1 or 2 more years.

Agree. It was a GREAT hire by KU. He will make a difference for sure. I think it's what the program needed, because for whatever reason it's gotten a little stale the past couple of years.

We just inked Kelvin Sampson for another 4 years. The top teams in the Big 12 are going to stay very good going forward.

[KC Hawks]

Sarr to Duke. Williams to NC State.

Sucks.

[smithandrew051]

Both suck anyway

[KC_Connection]

Had never heard of either one prior to last month, so I presume they weren't good anyway.

[BWillie]

Not a good sign. Must be low on money left for NIL if we can't even outbid NC State.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Not a good sign. Must be low on money left for NIL if we can't even outbid NC State.

Maybe it's all going to Jacque Vaughn.