Ricky Vaughn takes over as the Head Coach for the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field programs this season after serving as assistant coach for National Champion Louisiana State University.

“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. 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,” said Director of Athletics, William J. Weidner.

Vaughn comes to UTPA from national track and field powerhouse LSU, where he served as a top assistant coach for the 2001 Men’s Indoor National Champions. During his three year tenure on the LSU staff, the program sent 23 student-athletes to the recent 2001 NCAA Outdoor National Championships in which the Tiger men finished 5^th in the nation while the women achieved a national ranking of sixth. In addition, LSU garnered the 2000 NCAA Women’s Outdoor National Championship and were 1999 SEC Women’s Indoor Champions during his stay there.

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

Prior to coaching at LSU, Vaughn served at nationally respected UTEP and NCAA Division II power, Ashland University. While at UTEP, Vaughn coached both men’s and women’s field events while also serving as the recruiting coordinator for both men’s and women’s track & field and cross country and helped the Miner’s program earn the WAC Men’s Outdoor Conference Championships during 1996-97.  At Ashland University, 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 brings over 12 years of experience as a top assistant. Throughout a highly successful coaching career, Vaughn has been instrumental in coaching and developing 10 WAC Champions, 1 SEC Champion, 29 All-Americans, 6 NCAA Champions, 1 1996 Olympian and has coached the national record holder for Mexico in the women’s discus and 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 while competing at Angelo State University where 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 Olympic Trials and such prestigious venues as the U.S. Olympic Festival and the USATF Championships. Vaughn was nationally ranked as high as 7^th in the hammer throw between 1989 and 1994. While coaching at Ashland University, Vaughn earned a Master’s Degree in Education.

“Coaching at UTPA is an opportunity I am very excited about.  There is certainly a lot of potential for both the Track & Field and Cross Country programs to grow and to develop strong student-athletes in both the academic and athletic arenas” said Vaughn. “I am looking forward to moving to the Rio Grande Valley and excited to start working with the administrators and coaches in the athletics department”.