All Ricky Vaughn did in his first season as Head Coach for the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field programs this season is lead the Broncs and Lady Broncs to make their first regional appearances in cross country in several years, break numerous records in track and field, and establish Texas-Pan American as one of the up and coming programs in the region.

Vaughn joined UT Pan American after serving as assistant coach for Louisiana State University, a perennial power that has won several NCAA Division I national championships.

“The hiring of Ricky Vaughn brings instant credibility to our efforts of establishing a nationally respected and competitive NCAA Division I Track & Field/Cross Country program," said UTPA Director of Athletics William J. Weidner, after Vaughn joined the UTPA coaching staff. "Having served at some of the elite Track & Field/Cross Country programs in intercollegiate athletics, Coach Vaughn has established himself as one of the premier field event coaches in the profession. Equally impressive is Coach Vaughn’s commitment to academic integrity. He has a proven track record of recruiting talented student-athletes who excel in both the athletic and academic arenas. We look forward to the continued development of our Track and Field/Cross Country program under Coach Vaughn’s leadership and proudly welcome Ricky and his family to The University of Texas Pan American with great enthusiasm.”

At LSU, Vaughn served as a top assistant coach for the 2001 Men’s Indoor national champions during his three-year tenure in Baton Rouge. In 2001, LSU sent 23 student-athletes to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, in which the Tiger men finished fifth, while the women finished sixth. In addition, LSU won the 2000 NCAA women’s outdoor championship, and also won the 1999 Southeastern Conference women’s indoor title during his tenure.

“Ricky did an excellent job and was a highly active member of my staff during his time at LSU," said LSU Head Coach Pat Henry. "I am happy that he has found a home at UTPA. He is deserving of running his own Division I program.”

Prior to coaching at LSU, Vaughn served at nationally respected Texas-El Paso and NCAA Division II power Ashland. While at UTEP, Vaughn coached both men’s and women’s field events while also serving as the recruiting coordinator for men’s and women’s track & field and cross country. He helped the Miners win the Western Athletic Conference men’s outdoor title during the 1996-97 season. At Ashland, Vaughn served as the field events and strength and conditioning coach for the men's and women’s track & field and cross country teams that were among the best in the nation.

“As an assistant at Ashland, Ricky was instrumental in a number of top 10 finishes for our track & field and cross country programs at the NCAA Division II level”, said Ashland University Head Coach Bill Gallagher. “There is no doubt that Ricky will move the UTPA program forward and will be a great addition to the current staff”.

A native Texan, Vaughn has more than 13 years of experience as a top assistant. Throughout a highly successful coaching career, Vaughn has been instrumental in coaching and developing 10 WAC Champions, one SEC Champion, 29 All-Americans, 6 NCAA Champions, and one 1996 Olympian. He has coached the national record holder for Mexico in the women’s discus, and the national record holder for Greece in the men’s hammer.

As an athlete, Vaughn was a three time All-American and two-time Lone Star Conference champion in both the hammer and discus at Angelo State, from which he graduated with a degree in Physical Education with a minor in Biology. After graduating, Vaughn continued to train in the hammer throw, competing in the 1992 United States Olympic Trials, and prestigious events including the U.S. Olympic Festival and the USA Track and Field Championships. Vaughn was ranked as high as seventh nationally in the hammer throw between 1989 and 1994. While coaching at Ashland, Vaughn earned a Master’s Degree in Education.