Washburn University men's basketball coach Brett Ballard sustained serious injuries on Tuesday night after his vehicle collided with a bridge pillar in Topeka, Kansas, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol, as reported by KSNT News. The incident occurred as Ballard's Ford F-150 veered off the roadway in the westbound lane of I-470 near mile-marker 183, hitting a delineator post, the embankment, and finally the bridge pillar. At 46 years old, he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, but no further updates on his condition have been released.

Washburn University President JuliAnn Mazachek expressed the institution’s sorrow, stating, "We are deeply saddened to share that Coach Brett Ballard was seriously injured in a car accident last evening. Our hearts are with Coach Ballard, his family, the men's basketball program and all who are affected during this difficult time."

Ballard, entering his ninth season at Washburn, boasts a career record of 167-79 and led the team to the Division II Final Four during the 2024-25 season, achieving a remarkable 30-4 record.

The accident shocked the Washburn community, with Washburn football coach Zach Watkins sharing his concern:

Coach Ballard is a great friend of mine... We prayed for him here as a team before practice. When something happens to your family, it affects you.

Before coaching, Ballard played for the Kansas Jayhawks under then-coach Roy Williams from 2000-02, contributing to teams that reached the 2001 NCAA Sweet Sixteen and the 2002 NCAA Final Four.