Rob Vaughn Introduced as 33rd head coach in Alabama baseball history
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBMA) — There’s a new sheriff in town as Tuesday afternoon Rob Vaughn was introduced as the 33rd head coach in Alabama baseball history.
“You know this is something as a young kid you always aspire to play in, as a young coach you always aspire to coach in, and to have the opportunity to stand here and to be a part of this and to get to coach these young people moving forward is something that we are so excited about”. Vaughn said.
Don’t let his age fool you, at only 35 years of age, Vaughn has already had extensive coaching experience at the power 5 level. Leading the University of Maryland to back-to-back regular season Big 10 championships, and he’s ready to carry that experience from College Park over into the SEC, the grandest stage in all of college baseball.
“The mound is still 60 feet, six inches away, we're playing on 90 foot bases, now it's how mentally prepared we can be to weather the storms, to ride the ups and downs and to build this thing into a battle tested group of guys that can go win a championship”, Vaughn said.
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Not forgotten in today’s introduction was the job done by Interim Alabama Head Coach Jason Jackson, who will remain on staff as their new Associate Head Coach.
“We believe so much in J.J. and Coach Vaughn and I talked that we've elevated him to Associate Head Coach and we've also offered him a two-year contract to stay here at the University of Alabama”, said Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne.
“One of the people I'm the biggest fan of in this room, and I know Greg already alluded to him is J.J. and what he did. The biggest thing that drew me to Alabama outside of the prestige, outside of all those things, is the people.” Vaughn said.
Vaughn was asked if this Alabama baseball program has the potential to win a College World Series, and he said, point blank, that he wouldn’t be here if they couldn’t. Vaughn is setting his sights on Omaha.