Old Nets in new places: Jacque Vaughn and Tyler Johnson have new jobs

Two former Nets you might have forgotten about will be starting new gigs soon. And both owners of the Nets, the Tsais and Kochs, were in NFL news.

It’s been quite the day for ex-Brooklyn Nets on LinkedIn. This afternoon, Kansas Men’s Basketball announced that former head coach Jacque Vaughn will be returning to his alma mater as an assistant under Bill Self this coming season. Vaughn did two tours as Brooklyn’s head coach, one as an interim after Kenny Atkinson’s dismissal in 2020, and then again when Steve Nash was dumped in 2022, ultimately getting full time coach gig a week later.

Despite being a two-time coach and with the organization for eight years, Vaughn’s time leading Brooklyn already feels a bit like ancient history with his successor (no, I don’t mean Kevin Ollie) stepping in and essentially becoming the face of the organization this season.

Nonetheless, it had its fair share of exciting chapters — none more thrilling than the first, as the Nets enjoyed a 16-1 stretch not long after he took over during the 2022-23 season.

In February 2023, Nets signed Vaughn to a four-year extension. He was making about $5 million a season, per league sources. But JV was gone by the All-Star Break of last year, his dismissal coming days after the Nets lost by 50 points to the Celtics, the second biggest loss in franchise history. There were also reports that he had lost the confidence of “several players.”

The status of Vaughn’s contract with the Nets remains unclear. Normally, coaches’ contracts have an offset clause that reduces a team’s liability if after being dumped, he takes another job. Asked for comment, a Nets spokesperson declined.

Prior to joining the Nets, he had previous coaching roles with the Magic as a head coach as well as an assistant with the Spurs. His NBA playing career lasted 13 seasons, two of them with the Nets.

However, Vaughn’s history with Kansas runs far deeper. The prodigal Jayhawk spent four years at KU, earning 2x All-Big 8 honors, an All-Big 12 one his senior year, and being named the Big 8 Player of the Year in 1995-96. His No. 11 also hangs in Allen Fieldhouse.

“The game of basketball has provided me the incredible privilege to mentor, coach, and compete alongside some of the best in the game,” Vaughn said. “I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring those experiences back to the school that means so much to me. It’s a blessing to once again be part of the Jayhawk tradition.”

His contract status with Kansas is also uncertain.

Hours later, Fresno State Men’s Basketball announced that former Nets guard Tyler Johnson agreed to join their coaching staff as an assistant as well. Johnson is a former Bulldog.

Johnson overlapped with Vaughn, playing big minutes for him as the interim head coach in the bubble and then again with JV staying on as an assistant under Steve Nash during the 2020-21 season.

He appeared in 12 of the infamous 16 games where Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden all played together. Suiting up for 47 in total with the team, Johnson averaged 6.1 points, 1.5 assists, and 2.1 boards per game with Brooklyn.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to come back to the valley,” Johnson said. “I am looking forward to being a part of the transformation of this program.”

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Meanwhile, both Brooklyn ownership groups made some news in the NFL Wednesday. Sports Business Journal reported that the league approved the sale of a piece of Joe Tsai’s already small stake in the Miami Dolphins to a trio of smaller investors. Tsai brought 2,9% of the franchise a little more than a month ago at a reported price of more than $200 million. The transaction approved by the NFL will transfer a third of that — 1.1% — to the trio, according to the SBJ.

No details on what Tsai received in return.

Meanwhile, CNBC reported Wednesday that the family of Julia Koch, Tsais’ partner in the Nets, Liberty and Barclays Center may make a bid for a piece of the New York Giants which has attracted a number of investors since the Mara family suggested that it was willing to sell up to 10% of the franchise, worth an estimated $7.85 billion. Julia Koch and her three children paid $688 million for a 15% stake in the BSE Global brands last June.

Beyond the Nets, Liberty and possibly the Giants, Mike Ozanian wrote the Kochs have interests in other sports assets:

Koch and her family are interested in additional investments in teams, especially in the New York market, according to a person familiar with Koch’s thinking.

Koch’s son, David, has been a basketball operations assistant for the Nets since last September.