Washburn University men’s basketball coach Brett Ballard is on the road to recovery after a devastating car accident in August left him hospitalized for a week.
Ballard, 46, updated fans on his progress in a video shared via X on Friday, September 18.
“My doctors had determined that I had a neurological episode that caused me to wreck my truck as I was driving down the highway,” he explained. “Fortunately no one else was involved in the accident. Unfortunately for me I was in a pretty bad wreck and in the hospital for about a week.”
Ballard continued, “The good news is I’m progressing and tracking in a very good direction and my team of doctors feels like I’ll make a full recovery in the next couple months. God is good.”
The accident occurred on August 4 in Topeka, Kansas, where Washburn is located. Ballard’s 2024 Ford F-150 veered off the road and hit a delineator post, then an embankment and bridge pillar, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol’s online crash log.
Ballard was the only person in the car at the time and was wearing his seat belt.
“To my doctors that night and [those] who have been with me along this journey, I’m grateful for you,” he said. “To my wife Kelly who has been an absolute rock during this situation, I’m so thankful for her. To our family, friends, relatives, fans, everybody that’s called, text, reached out, provided support, I’m so thankful and humbled by your support.”
Ballard then spoke about his team, which has gone 61-6 over the last two seasons.
“I tell my team all the time that you’re going to face adversity, whether it’s on the court or in life,” he said. “I’m doing my best to respond to this challenge in the right way. “We’ve been ranked No. 1 in the country the last two years and I feel like I’ve got a team again that’s going to be highly competitive and compete for championships, so I hope to see many of you out there at Lee Arena this winter to support me and the team.”
In the immediate aftermath of Ballard’s accident, coaches from around college basketball voiced their support. He spent time in Division I as an assistant at Wake Forest, Tulsa and Kansas under Hall of Famer Bill Self.
“Thoughts and prayers to Brett,” Wake Forest men’s basketball coach Steve Forbes wrote via X at the time.
“Our prayers are going to the entire Ballard family,” Washburn women’s basketball coach Lora Westling added via X. “Coach is as tough as they come and has an entire community behind him as he recovers. The Washburn family is special for a reason. Thoughts, prayers, and strength to everyone who can use it today.”
