University of Maryland Athletics

Vaughn, the eighth head coach in school history, completed his sixth season as the Terps' head coach and 11th season overall on the staff at Maryland with the record-setting season in 2023.

He was named the Terps' head coach on June 22, 2017 after serving as associate head coach.

Vaughn – the youngest head coach in all of “Power Five” baseball – has helped turn Maryland into one of the most respected programs in the entire country.

The 2023 season was one for the record books as the Terps claimed their second consecutive Big Ten Championship and third straight NCAA Regional appearance. Vaughn led the team to the 40-win mark for the fourth time in program history, recording 42 victories including 17 Big Ten wins. The Terps were one of the most prolific offenses in the nation, setting program-records in runs (578), hits (684), walks (385) and RBIs (552).

Vaughn continued to lead some of the nation's top talent coaching Matt Shaw, Nick Lorusso and Luke Shiger to All-American caliber seasons in 2023. Shaw was named Maryland's second consecutive Big Ten Player of The Year and a Collegiate Baseball First-Team All-American. Nick Lorusso became the first player since 2003 to record 100-plus hits and 100-plus RBIs in the same season. Shliger was named a All-Big Ten First Team selection and led the nation in runs scored (93) breaking the all-time Maryland record in the process.

The 2022 season was one of the greatest single seasons in program history as Vaughn led the squad to a program record 48 wins, 18 conference wins, the team's first regular-season conference championship since 1971, and the right to host the first-ever College Park Regional.  

Vaughn accumulated and guided some of the best talent in the country as he coached coach Chris Alleyne, Ryan Ramsey and Jason Savacool to All-American honors in 2022. Alleyne was named Maryland's first Big Ten Player of the Year as he was one of six players (Ramsey, Savacool, Nick Lorusso, Kevin Keister, and Matt Shaw) to earn First Team All-Big Ten honors in 2022. Luke Shliger was named to the Second Team while Nick Dean, Maxwell Costes and Troy Schreffler Jr. were named to the Third Team. 

Vaughn has been on the Maryland staff for the three winningest seasons in program history, the only four 40-win seasons for the Terps (2014, 2015, 2022, 2023). 

After the 2021 season, Vaughn added a new pitching coach in Mike Morrison, a fit that proved to be seamless both on and off the field as well the recruiting trail. Vaughn also added former infielder Tommy Gardiner to the staff as the Director of Player Development. 

The skipper’s 2021 squad was one of Vaughn’s most successful as head coach. Maryland advanced to its first NCAA Tournament since 2017 – Vaughn’s final season as an assistant – and finished second place in the Big Ten (30-18 overall), the Terps’ best conference finish in over 40 years (1980).

Maryland’s second-half stretch was among the best in all of the 2021 college baseball season. In the midst of a 44-game regular season Big Ten-only schedule, Vaughn’s Terrapins caught fire from March 29 to May 21, going 20-5 in that time, the best 25-game stretch in program history. Over the final 22 regular season games, Maryland’s 18-4 record was the best among all Power Five programs in that span.

Culminating its season in the NCAA Greenville Regional Final, Vaughn’s squad fought off adversity throughout the duration of the season. Injuries to standout starters Alleyne, Randy Bednar, Costes, Dean, and Shaw inhibited the ability to put a healthy starting nine on the field throughout the year, but Vaughn’s squad made the late-season push necessary to make the seventh NCAA Tournament in program history.

Vaughn’s 2021 squad was nearly unbeatable at home – posting a 16-4 record at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium and winning 12 consecutive home contests at one point. The Terps’ home winning streak tied the longest home winning streak among Power Five teams in 2021, tying Arizona’s mark of 12, while also setting the second-longest home winning streak in the history of the program.

The development of All-Americans Benjamin Cowles and  Shaw, as well as All-Big Ten honorees  Alleyne and  Ramsey, was also critical in Vaughn’s fourth season at the helm.

Cowles led the Big Ten with 18 home runs in his junior season earning All-America honors (Baseball America, Third Team) and All-Region honors (ABCA/Rawlings, First Team) for his breakout campaign. In addition to leading the conference in homers, Cowles also ranked second in RBIs (51), and fourth in slugging percentage (.632). His 18 home runs ranks fourth all-time in Maryland single-season history, and was the most by any Maryland player since 2002. Cowles also led the charge as Maryland hit its most home runs as a team (76) since the 2002 season, when the Terps slugged 80.

Shaw’s freshman season was one of the best rookie seasons in Maryland program history. Earning Freshman All-American Honors from Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game, the Brimfield, Massachusetts native led the team and ranked first among all Big Ten freshmen in batting average, hitting .332 over the spring. Shaw's 16 doubles led the team and ranked second in the conference, while also leading the team and ranking second in the league in hits (61). Shaw slugged seven homers and stole seven bases, ranking fourth and fifth on the team, respectively.

Ramsey established himself as one of the best relievers in the Big Ten during his sophomore season, making 16 appearances and leading the team with a 1.67 ERA over 37.2 innings, which was the third-most innings pitched on the team and first among relievers. His batting average against (.176) led the team, while his 43 strikeouts was the third-most among the Maryland staff. A perfect 5-0 on the mound with two saves, Ramsey was the Terrapins most lethal option out of the bullpen, surrendering just seven earned runs in nearly 40 innings.

Vaughn also oversaw the growth of Alleyne in his four years with the program, improving year over year until earning all-conference honors as a senior. One of the most reliable center fielders and leadoff hitters in the conference, Alleyne earned second-team honors after a 2021 season in which he slashed .306/.409/.561 and slugged eight homers, also stealing a conference-best 22 bases.

At the helm of the program for his most unique season yet, Vaughn led his 2020 team to a 10-5 record before the season was cut short due to COVID-19. Despite not having the chance to play in a conference matchup, several players started off their springs with eye-popping numbers.

Named a Third-Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball, Costes picked up right where he left off following his freshman season. The sophomore from Baltimore hit the ball as well as any slugger in the nation to begin the 2020 campaign, ranking second in the country with a .620 on-base percentage. Costes finished his 15-game season with a staggering .432/.620/.750 slash line, also blasting four homers and driving in 15 runs.

Vaughn and the Maryland staff’s development of redshirt freshman right-hander Sean Burke caught the eye of many in the first month of the 2020 college baseball season. The 6-foot-6 righty from Sutton, Massachusetts missed his first season in College Park due to injury, but shined in his first four outings on the collegiate diamond in 2020. Burke’s 1.99 ERA led the club amongst starters and his 35 strikeouts was the most by a freshman pitcher in Division I baseball.

Despite the modified format of Major League Baseball during the summer of 2020, four of Vaughn’s former pupils made the 60-man expanded Big League rosters to begin MLB’s season. Brandon Lowe’s breakout season with the World Series Runner-Up Rays vaulted him into league MVP discussion, while Mike Shawaryn, LaMonte Wade, and Kevin Smith trained and/or played at the MLB level in 2020.

Vaughn's 2019 club saw a five-win improvement from 24 to 29 wins as the Terps advanced to the Big Ten Tournament. Maryland had a program record six student-athletes earn All-Big Ten honors, including Big Ten Freshman of the Year Costes. The skipper also saw two of his former players flourish professionally, with Brandon Lowe (2013-15) finishing second in American League Rookie of the Year voting and  Wade (2013-15) earning his first major league call up.

Vaughn was instrumental in Costes' breakout season, in which the freshman hit 15 home runs en route to freshman All-American and Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. Outfielder RandyBednar (.288/.362/.531, 12 HR, 55 RBI) and AJ Lee (.317/.443/.497), 7 HR, 36 RBI, 10 steals) both transformed their games in Vaughn's second season at the helm.

The Texas native has also upped Maryland's recruiting during his time as the head coach. After leading the Terps to their highest ranked recruiting classes as an assistant, Vaughn set a new standard in 2019, as the Terps' 2020 class was named the seventh best in the nation by D1Baseball.com, the best ranking in program history.

Including 2019 draftees Hunter Parsons and AJ Lee, along with 2018 draftees Nick Dunn and Marty Costes, Vaughn has coached 29 players who have been drafted or signed professional contracts in his time as a coach.

Maryland won 30 games in each five of Vaughn's seasons as an assistant, a school-record streak. The Terps won a program-record 42 games in 2015, and the top three winningest seasons in Maryland history (2015, 2014, 2017) have all come with Vaughn on staff. The Terps have won eight NCAA Tournament games with Vaughn in College Park after winning just one in the entirety of the program's history.

Vaughn's player development ability has paid dividends for Maryland's position players throughout his coaching career. He has helped produce four All-Americans (Maxwell Costes, Nick Dunn, Brandon Lowe, Kevin Martir), five freshman All-Americans, 12 all-conference selections and 13 draft picks. He helped Lowe become Maryland's highest drafted position player in 13 years when he was taken 87th overall in 2015.

In his first season as head coach, Vaughn helped Dunn become one of the best second basemen in the country. The Sunbury, Pa., native was named a second-team All-American by Baseball America and was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft.

Vaughn also helped Marty Costes rise from an unheralded recruit to a two-time draft pick and first-team All-Big Ten selection (2017).

As the leader of Maryland's offense, Vaughn has promoted an exciting offensive style that has utilized both speed and power. In 2017, the Terps hit 67 home runs and stole 101 bases, both marks that ranked in the top-35 in the nation.

After serving as assistant head coach for two seasons, Vaughn was promoted to associate head coach in July of 2016.

As the head of Maryland's recruiting efforts, Vaughn helped orchestrate the then highest ranked class in Maryland history in 2015. D1Baseball.com gave the Terps their best rating in history (17), while Baseball America (22) and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper (27) also gave the class stellar marks.

Maryland's freshmen did not wait to make an impact in 2016, with second baseman Nick Dunn earning Big Ten All-Freshman and All-Big Ten third team honors. Under Vaughn's tutelage, Dunn emerged as one of the best freshman hitters in the conference, leading Maryland with a .300 average and 16 doubles. Dunn also earned Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Week honors in single week, becoming the first double player/freshman of the week in the Big Ten since Kyle Johnson did it for Purdue in 2013.

Fellow freshman Marty Costes earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors after leading the Terps in home runs (9) and slugging (.479). Costes was also a two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week. That helped Maryland to a school record seven conference player of the week honors during the 2016 season. Vaughn also oversaw the transformation of Kevin Biondic, who raised his average from his freshman year mark of .183 to .278.

Vaughn's development of Anthony Papio paid dividends for the Terps as the Maryland native finished his career with the second most triples in Maryland history (9) and the third most in a single season in 2016 (4).

The 2015 season saw Vaughn's offense put up huge power numbers. Maryland slugged 52 home runs, a 33 home run jump from 2014. Six Terps notched five home runs or more with Cuas leading the charge with 11. The Terps also put up more doubles (114) and triples (19) than in 2014. Maryland's slugging percentage jumped from .359 to .405. This offensive helped the Terps win a school record 42 games and capture their second straight NCAA Regional title.

Lowe staked his claim as one of the best hitters in the nation under Vaughn. The second baseman was named a second team All-American by D1Baseball.com and earned First Team All-Big Ten honors after a season that saw him bat .331 with a team-high 58 runs and 53 RBIs. Lowe also hit nine home runs, notched a team-high 18 doubles and four triples. Lowe ranked in the top-15 of the Big Ten in all major offensive categories and earned Big Ten Player of the Week on one occasion. Lowe was also named to the midseason USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award watch list. The award is given to the best amateur baseball player in the country.

Martir became one of the best offensive catchers in the country in 2015, earning third team All-American honors. Martir ranked seventh in the Big Ten with a .342 average, eighth in doubles (17), eighth in slugging (.502) and second in OBP (.441). Martir also notched 45 RBIs and hit seven home runs. Cuas earned second team All-Big Ten honors after another season under Vaughn's tutelage. His 11 home runs and 53 RBIs ranked third in the Big Ten.

Vaughn also helped Kevin Smith become Maryland's third Freshman All-American in the last two seasons. Smith notched a .273 average with 55 runs scored and 35 RBIs. He recorded 14 doubles and hit seven home runs. Smith was named a Freshman All-American by Perfect Game and D1Baseball.com and also was a member of the 2015 Big Ten All-Tournament Team. He was also Big Ten Freshman of the Week on one occasion.

Vaughn also oversaw the late season offensive explosion of junior LaMonte Wade, who was named the most outstanding player of the Los Angeles Regional after hitting two home runs to help the Terps overcome top overall seed UCLA. Wade finished his injury impacted season with a .335 average and a .468 slugging percentage.

In 2014, Vaughn helped the Terps become one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the country over the final two months. Beginning in May, Maryland hit .294 as a team with a .399 slugging percentage en route to a NCAA Super Regional berth and the first 40-win season in school history. During that span, the Terps belted out 47 extra-base hits in 19 games including eight home runs.

Vaughn oversaw the development and emergence of second baseman Brandon Lowe. After missing the 2013 season with a knee injury, Lowe finished second in the ACC in hitting (.348) and on-base percentage (.464), led the team in slugging (.464) and tied for the team lead in RBI (42). Lowe earned freshman All-American honors from Baseball America, Louisville Slugger, NCBWA and Perfect Game becoming the first Maryland player, along with pitcher Mike Shawaryn, to earn All-American status since 2002 as well as earning third team All-ACC honors.

The native of Humble, Texas, believes in an aggressive offensive approach built around speed and applying pressure to opposing defenses. After totaling 94 stolen bases in 2013; a mark that ranked second in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 30th nationally, Maryland totaled 85 stolen bases in 2014, which ranked second in the ACC and 32nd nationally.

Over the two seasons, Maryland's aggressive offensive approach on the base paths was spearheaded by White. During the 2014 season, White swiped a team-high 25 stolen bases after stealing a Maryland single-season record with 39 in 2013, which led the ACC and tied for fourth nationally. For his career, White totaled 86 stolen bases to set a Maryland record.

Under Vaughn's tutelage, White also earned All-ACC honors in his final two seasons in College Park. As Maryland's table setter, White hit .290 in 2014 with a .400 OBP and scored a team-high 49 runs en route to being selected in the 21st round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs.

In addition, Schmit had a career year in 2014 finishing second on the team in batting average (.309), OBP (.413) and slugging (.420), and led the club in doubles (18). Schmit was drafted in the 26th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins.

In 2013, his first season in College Park, the Terps saw their batting average jump 11 points in 2013 from the 2012 season along with increases in several other offensive categories. Along with the jump in batting average, the Terps saw an increase in slugging percentage, and an 18-point increase in on-base percentage (.358 to .376). The Terps also recorded 118 doubles, an increase of 20 from the season before, 11 shy of the program record.

Before coming to Maryland, Vaughn spent the 2011-2012 seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Kansas State, where he coached the catchers, hitters and was in charge of base-running instruction.

A native of Humble, Texas, Vaughn began his coaching career in 2010 after spending two seasons in the Chicago White Sox organization. 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.

Vaughn is no stranger to building tradition as he helped Kansas State reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history in 2009 as a player, then saw it reach the post season for the third straight year in 2011 as a coach. While at K-State, he helped tutor three top-10 round picks in the MLB Draft in Jason King, Nick Martini and Jared King, while helping three other hitters achieve draft status that were previously undrafted. As a player at Kansas State, Vaughn caught the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, All-American and fourth round pick, AJ Morris. In addition, Vaughn also caught Brad Hutt, the career wins leader at K-State, as well as James Allen, who is the all-time leader in saves for the Wildcats.

Vaughn was drafted in the 30th round in the 2009 MLB Draft and was fortunate to play and work with some of the best guys in the business. While in the White Sox organization with Bristol (Rookie), Great Falls (Rookie) and Kannapolis (Low A), Vaughn hit .228 with two doubles, five home runs and 13 RBI in 29 games between Bristol and Kannapolis in 2009. He followed that up by hitting .277 with five RBI in 19 games with Great Falls.

Updated June 5, 2023.