Alabama Baseball Confirms Hiring Of Maryland's Rob Vaughn As Next Head Coach

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama on Monday officially announced that University of Maryland head baseball coach Rob Vaughn has been hired as the next head coach for the Crimson Tide baseball program.

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Vaughn, the 2022 and 2023 Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year, will be formally introduced at a press conference on Tuesday, June 13. He leaves Maryland after six season, where he led the Terps to a 183-117 record, including an 84-54 mark in Big Ten play.

The Terps also finished atop the conference standings in both 2022 and 2023, but was also a part of the staff for the three winningest seasons in Maryland history, including the only 40-win seasons for the Terps in 2014, 2015, 2022 and 2023.

"I could not be more excited to join the Alabama Crimson Tide," Vaughn said. "The culture, the people and the program speak for themselves. Watching the team from afar, I could tell just how special it is, and I cannot wait to get started and help get this group get back to Omaha. The fact that Coach Jackson will be here by my side makes me even more excited because he's done such an incredible job and will be a big part of what we do going forward."

Maryland posted a 42-21 record this season, securing the first Big Ten Tournament Championship in program history and the program's second consecutive Big Ten title.

As a result, the Terps advanced to a third straight NCAA Regional and Vaughn was eventually named the 2022 ABCA/ATEC East Region Coach of the Year.

"We are thrilled to welcome Rob Vaughn as the next head baseball coach at The University of Alabama," Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne on Monday. "I talked to a number of people throughout this process and was so impressed with Rob from the start. He is one of the young, bright talents in college baseball and has done an excellent job leading Maryland's program. The success on the field speaks for itself, but even more impactful were the conversations with those who have played for Rob. We look forward to welcoming Rob, his wife Kayleigh, and children, Wyatt and Beau to Tuscaloosa."

Interim head coach Jason Jackson, who led the Crimson Tide to the NCAA Super Regional after the firing of former head coach Brad Bohannon, was retained on the coaching staff and will now serve as the associate head coach of the Crimson Tide while also continuing as pitching coach.

"I could not be prouder of the job Coach Jackson did in serving as our interim head coach for the final six weeks of the season," Byrne. said. "He was incredible at managing a tough situation and ultimately leading this team somewhere it had not been in quite some time. He has great relationships with our team, the department, our fans and beyond, and we are thrilled to keep JJ here in Tuscaloosa and elevate him to associate head coach."

Jackson expressed pride in the players on this year's team — one that he said will always hold a special place in Alabama baseball history.

"My family and I are very happy here in Tuscaloosa," Jackson said. "I love this university and I love coaching these players and am excited about the opportunity to continue to be able to do that. Rob has done an amazing job at Maryland and I know he will be a great fit here as well. I'm thankful for the opportunity and look forward to working together. I also want to thank Greg Byrne and the administration for the support of both my family and me and of our program. I know we are all ready to hit the ground running."

Vaughn's coaching career began at his alma mater of Kansas State, where he served during the 2011-12 seasons as the Wildcats' volunteer assistant coach after spending the 2010 season as a student assistant.

Out of college, Vaughn— a catcher — was selected in the 30th round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox and played two seasons with the organization.

Vaughn is a native of Humble, Texas, Vaughn and is married to the former Kayleigh Strickler.

UA Athletics says the couple has two sons, Wyatt and Beau.

The UA System Board of Trustees haas been notified of the proposed terms and conditions the hiring, with UA Athletics saying the financial terms remain subject to approval by the board.

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