Aaron Vaughn was named Head Baseball Coach at Central Washington University in 2026.
A proven winner at both the junior college and high school levels, Vaughn arrives in Ellensburg after leading one of the most successful eras in Wenatchee Valley College baseball history.
Vaughn served as head coach at Wenatchee Valley College from 2021-26, guiding the Knights to consistent success within the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC). Under his leadership, WVC reached the NWAC Championship Series in 2026, marking the program's deepest postseason run in more than two decades. The Knights also earned a regional playoff berth in 2024 and established themselves as one of the conference's premier offensive programs, ranking among the NWAC's top-five offenses during the 2024, 2025, and 2026 seasons.
Before taking over the Wenatchee Valley program, Vaughn served as pitching and recruiting coordinator at Big Bend Community College from 2018-21. In that role, he helped develop numerous student-athletes while contributing to multiple winning seasons through his work in player development, pitching instruction, and recruiting throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Vaughn's coaching experience also includes a successful stint at Ferris High School in Spokane, Wash., where he led the program to multiple winning seasons and a berth in the WIAA State Tournament's final eight.
In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Vaughn gained valuable experience in athletic administration. He served as Assistant Athletic Director at Wenatchee Valley College, overseeing various operational and administrative responsibilities while supporting the department's overall mission and growth.
As a player, Vaughn was a standout pitcher whose baseball career began with an accomplished high school tenure in Arizona. He helped lead his team to a 2A state championship and earned Player of the Year honors before continuing his career at Northwest Nazarene University. At NNU, he established himself as one of the program's top pitchers, setting a school record for wins in a single season and serving as a reliable starter throughout his collegiate career.
Following graduation, Vaughn signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros organization in 2014 and enjoyed a successful season in professional baseball. He later competed with the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League in 2015 before concluding his professional playing career.
Vaughn and his wife, Melissa, have two daughters, Blair and Jovi. He assumed leadership of the Wildcat baseball program on July 1, 2026.
