Washburn University men's basketball head coach Brett Ballard was seriously injured in a single-vehicle highway crash on Tuesday night in Topeka, Kansas. The 46-year-old former Kansas Jayhawks guard was driving his 2024 Ford F-150 on Interstate 470 when the vehicle struck a bridge pillar. He was transported to Stormont Vail Hospital for treatment following the accident.
What happened in the crash?
Washburn University head coach Brett Ballard was driving westbound on Interstate 470 in Topeka when his 2024 Ford F-150 veered off the roadway. The vehicle struck a delineator post and a concrete bridge pillar, causing significant damage. Authorities confirmed Ballard was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision. He was the only occupant in the truck when the accident occurred on Tuesday evening.
What is Ballard's background?
Brett Ballard is a prominent figure in Kansas basketball, currently serving as the head coach for the Washburn University men's basketball team. Before his coaching career, he was a standout guard for the Kansas Jayhawks from 2000 to 2002 under Roy Williams. He also served as an assistant coach on Bill Self's staff and led Baker University before joining Washburn, where he has built a consistent Division II program.
