Kansas has been resilient despite star guard Darryn Peterson’s hamstring issues. Peterson, averaging 22.2 points and 4.4 rebounds, has stayed in the starting lineup. The Jayhawks are 3-2 in the Big 12 and 13-5 overall.
On Monday, Kansas faced a setback when coach Bill Self received medical treatment after feeling “under the weather.” As a result, assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will serve as interim head coach in Tuesday’s game against Colorado (12-6, 2-3 Big 12).
Bill Self Confined ‘Out of Caution,’ To Miss Game Against Colorado
Self, 63, was taken to LMH Health on Monday, apparently due to illness. He was feeling better after receiving IV fluids. In a statement, the Hall of Fame mentor thanked the fans for their care and prayers. He also thanked the medical staff for helping him regain his health.
He expressed confidence in assistant coach Jacque Vaughn and the staff to lead the Jayhawks to another win at Boulder while he rests.
“We have an elite coaching staff at KU, and I know our players are in good hands in Boulder. Jacque Vaughn will serve as the acting head coach tonight,” the veteran coach said. “He will rely on our great group of coaches, Jeremy Case, Kurtis Townsend, Joe Dooley and Tony Bland, throughout the game to lead the team.”
Kansas coach Bill Self says he’s feeling “much better” after being hospitalized yesterday, but he won’t coach tonight’s game. Assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will serve as acting head coach.
Full statement from Self: pic.twitter.com/8dnZHLHFaP
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) January 20, 2026
Self, who has coached the Jayhawks since 2003, has previously managed various health issues while leading the team.
He was absent from Kansas’ Big 12 and NCAA tournament campaigns in 2023. He was admitted to a medical facility due to chest tightness and balance concerns. The Oklahoma State alumnus underwent a heart catheterization procedure.
Doctors placed two stents to treat his blocked arteries. In July last year, he was hospitalized for concerning symptoms and had two stents inserted.
MORE: Bill Self’s Best Win in Years Just Saved Kansas’s Season Days After Saying Team ‘Sucks’
Meanwhile, interim head coach Vaughn brings a strong Kansas connection, having starred at KU from 1993-97, earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors and second-team All-America honors in 1996 and 1997.
Vaughn had a long NBA career, playing for 12 seasons. He was an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio. He later served as head coach of the Orlando Magic (2012-15) and the Brooklyn Nets (2022-24).
Vaughn went 129-226 in the NBA and was winless in eight playoff games as a coach. After an impressive week with lopsided wins over Iowa State and Baylor, No. 19 Kansas now faces challenges on the road, starting with Colorado and then Kansas State (9-9, 0-5 Big 12) on Jan. 24.
Despite losing three straight games to Texas Tech, Cincinnati, and West Virginia, the Buffaloes are 9-2 at home, with narrow defeats to Northern Colorado and Texas Tech. In contrast, Kansas has struggled on the road this season, going 1-3, and needs a win against Colorado to climb in the standings.
Kansas State has lost all five games in the Big 12 regular season. They are hungry to win one and keep themselves in contention for the NCAA Tournament. Their home losses to BYU and UCF were ugly. However, do not count out the Wildcats, as they are capable of upsetting a team like the Jayhawks.
