Former NBA head coach Jacque Vaughn has joined the University of Kansas to serve as an assistant coach behind longtime Jayhawks head coach Bill Self, per a Kansas press release.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports (Twitter link) that Vaughn rejected overtures to return to the pros in favor of a return to his alma mater, where he was an All-American as a player.
A former 12-year journeyman NBA point guard, Vaughn worked as an assistant before enjoying five years in the league as a head coach. He first served in that capacity for the Magic, from 2012-15, and later the Nets, first in an interim capacity at the end of 2019/20 and then again from 2022-24.
He has a cumulative 129-226 regular season record, and led two of his Brooklyn clubs to playoff appearances.
“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,” Self said in a statement. “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.”