The University of Kansas basketball program announced on May 21, 2025, that they will welcome back one of their former players, Jacque Vaughn, as an assistant coach. Vaughn is a Jayhawks legend and a former NBA head coach. He will be joining Bill Self’s staff as an assistant, replacing the retiring Norm Roberts. This move has many wondering if Vayghn is the best candidate to succeed Bill Self.
Vaughn is 50 years old, and he brings a lot of experience and pedigree. Below, we have taken a look at his past to assess whether he is the best fit for filling Bill Self’s shoes.
Jacque Vaughn: The Best Candidate for Bill Self’s Heir?
From 1993 to 1997, under coach Roy Williams, Vaughn led the Jayhawks’ offense with unparalleled vision. He finished his career as the Big Eight Conference’s all-time assists leader with 804, a mark that still ranks third in program history.
I think Jacque Vaughn is the successor to Bill Self. Hand picked. Makes total sense and has NBA HC experience. Heir apparent if he wants it.
— JKuhn (@h8rproof82) May 21, 2025
During his time as a player, Vaughn also won many accolades, including being a two-time All-American and the 1996 Big Eight Player of the Year. To honour his legacy, his jersey was retired in 2002 and it still hangs in Allen Fieldhouse, retired in 2002.
Vaughn was drafted 27th overall by the Utah Jazz in 1997. He carved out a 12-year NBA playing career, donned the jerseys of five teams, and won a championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2007.
His transition to coaching began under Gregg Popovich with the Spurs from 2010 to 2012, where he honed his skills in one of the NBA’s most respected organizations. In 2012, Vaughn took the reins of the Orlando Magic. However, his tenure there was very challenging, with a not very impressive 58-158 record over two-plus seasons and no playoff appearances.
Nevertheless, Vaughn found his sweet spot and eventually his taste of coaching success with the Brooklyn Nets. Joining as an assistant in 2016, he stepped into the interim head coach role in 2020, going 7-3 in 10 games and earning a playoff berth.
Promoted to head coach in 2022 after Steve Nash’s departure, Vaughn led the Nets to a 43-32 record and another playoff appearance in 2023, coaching stars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Despite an overall 129-226 career head-coaching record, his ability to stand firmly in high-pressure situations and manage elite talent earned him praise as a “player’s coach.” His Nets tenure ended in February 2024, followed by a reported $16-20 million settlement, freeing him to explore new opportunities.
Now, Vaughn steps into a role vacated by Norm Roberts, a 37-year coaching veteran who helped Kansas win the 2022 NCAA Championship and secure seven Big 12 titles. However, the road for Vaughn won’t be easy.
As Kansas is coming off a 21-13 season, its worst winning percentage since 1989, and has failed to advance past the NCAA Tournament’s first weekend in three straight years, the staff, including Vaughn, will face a lot of pressure to win their program’s reputation back this season.
With top recruit Darryn Peterson, a potential 2026 NBA Draft No. 1 pick, joining the roster, Vaughn’s NBA experience could be a game-changer. His modern approach and ability to connect with players may help Kansas adapt to the evolving college game, particularly in recruiting and developing one-and-done talents.
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In the end, coming to the speculation about his potential as Self’s successor, we can say for sure that Vaughn has the potential, but it is too early to say anything for sure. Self, 62, is the highest-paid coach in college basketball for 2025-26 at $8.8 million and shows no signs of slowing down. Yet, with a lifetime contract, Kansas is clearly planning for the future.
Vaughn’s lack of college coaching experience is a gamble, but his NBA pedigree and Jayhawk legacy make him stand up to the pressure of being a potential successor. Vaughn’s first game on the Kansas bench is set for November 3, 2025, against Green Bay. Whether he’s the heir to Self or simply a spark for the present, Vaughn’s return is a bold move for Kansas.
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