The University of Maryland Baseball Team has lost its head coach John Szefc to Virginia Tech. The program will now be lead by coach Rob Vaughn.
On Thursday, June 22, the University of Maryland’s associate head coach of the men’s Baseball team, Rob Vaughn, was promoted to the head coaching position of the school’s baseball program by athletics director Kevin Anderson. Vaughn became the eighth coach in Maryland Terps baseball history. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="512"]
Rob Vaughn, new Maryland head coach[/caption]
Vaughn was named the new coach after the departure of former head coach John Szefc, who left the University of Maryland Baseball program for a head coaching position at Virginia Tech. Vaughn, meanwhile, served as assistant under Szefc for five years during the former coach’s tenure, which saw the Terps advance to the NCAA tournament three times while also winning its first two regional NCAA titles.
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John Szefc, former Maryland head coach[/caption]
Anderson meanwhile praised the new head coach, calling him “one of the top young coaches” and “a dynamic recruiter” who excels in player development. During Vaughn’s five years with the Terps, Maryland has enjoyed the best winning streak in the school's history, racking up 180 wins in just five seasons. During each of Vaughn’s five seasons at UMD, the Terps have won 30 or more games as well as a school season record 42 games during the 2015 season. Three of the five seasons during which Vaughn has been on staff, 2014, 2015, and 2017 are the program’s most successful to date.
This year the Terps racked up 101 stolen bases and 67 home runs and, in 2015, the team won 42 games while ranking second in their conference in doubles, triples and home runs.
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Rob Vaughn[/caption]
The 29-year-old was a catcher for Kansas State and helped the team advance in the NCAA tournament. Vaughn has also played in the big leagues after being taken in the thirtieth round of the draft; the then-catcher played for the Chicago White Sox during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Soon after, Vaughn would take on coaching roles at his alma mater in 2010 and 2011 before joining the Maryland Baseball Program in 2012.
Vaughn’s role with the Terps prior to being promoted was as recruiting coordinator and he is credited with 2015’s class reaching the highest ranking in school history. His talents have also been evident in player development -- his tenure, four freshman All-Americans, two All-Americans, 10 all conference selections and eight major league draft picks have all been part of the program between 2012 and 2017. In all, 26 players that Vaughn has coached have been signed by professional ball clubs or taken the draft.
Without a doubt, both players and fans can expect the Terps' Baseball Program to remain competitive and grow with the help of the talented young coach. What are your thoughts on the new head coach? Let us know in the comments below!
