FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland head baseball coach John Szefc on Thursday announced the hiring of Robert Vaughn as an assistant coach, becoming the first addition to Szefc’s coaching staff.
Vaughn, who will also serve as the recruiting coordinator, comes to Maryland after spending the past two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Kansas State, where he coached the catchers and was in charge of base-running instruction.
“Rob is an outstanding young coach,” said Szefc. “He’s very good at coaching catchers and hitters. For a guy that didn’t have a bunch of speed as a player, he’s a great base running coach. He’s got a ton of energy and wants to be a real player on the recruiting front and has been waiting for the opportunity. He will be an absolute star as a recruiter and as an on-field coach. I’ve worked with Rob shoulder-to-shoulder for the last couple of years and I really trust him.”
A native of Humble, Texas, Vaughn began his coaching career in 2010 after spending two seasons in the Chicago White Sox organization with Bristol (Rookie) and Kannapolis (Low A). Vaughn served as student assistant coach before being elevated to a volunteer assistant coach prior to the 2011 season. In that capacity, Vaughn worked with the catchers, served as the first base coach, assisted with hitting and pitching instruction and oversaw all on campus recruiting activities.
A three-year starter at catcher for the Wildcats, Vaughn was one of the only catchers in the Big 12 to call pitches and helped Kansas State reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history in 2009. The same season, Vaughn helped A.J. Morris earn Big 12 Pitcher of the Year honors and become the school’s first consensus All-American. In his four years in Manhattan, Kan., Vaughn also caught Brad Hutt, who is tied for the most career wins in school history, and James Allen, who is the all-time leader in saves.
Vaughn tallied a career .263 batting average at Kansas State, including a career-best .281 mark in 2009. He hit a career-high five home runs that season and tallied 25 RBI, while being regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in the conference.
Vaughn received his bachelor’s degree in social sciences in 2011 from Kansas State.
