PHOENIX – Grand Canyon University has named Mike Vaught the new Vice President of Athletics as the school continues its transition to the Division I level of NCAA athletics.
Vaught brings to the Antelopes a wealth of Division I experience as an administrator, coach and fundraiser. As deputy athletic director at SMU, Vaught was involved in two key hires — football coach June Jones and men’s basketball coach Larry Brown – that brought the Mustangs’ marquee programs back to prominence following a 25-year bowl drought in the aftermath of receiving the NCAA death penalty in 1987. With Jones at the helm, SMU made four straight bowl appearances from 2009-12.
Prior to his six years at SMU, Vaught was an assistant AD at Rice University, where he oversaw a football program coached by Todd Graham (now at Arizona State University) that reached its first bowl game in 45 years, while also raising approximately $5 million for the program in just 14 weeks. Vaught also spent 16 years as an assistant football coach at Arkansas, Missouri State and the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was offensive coordinator for the Midshipmen team that led the nation in rushing in 1999.
He spent the past two years as director of corporate sponsorships at AdvoCare International, a health and wellness company that he helped develop sponsorships with the Independence Bowl, Texas Bowl, FC Dallas of Major League Soccer, Roush Fenway Racing on the NASCAR Nationwide Tour, and the Texas Kickoff and Cowboys Classic football games.
“Mike Vaught has a vast amount of experience in the world of higher education and athletics,” said Brian Mueller, president and CEO of Grand Canyon University. “He’s also a prolific public speaker, has a robust track record in fundraising a nd shares a deep commitment to the Christian faith and values that we espouse at our university.”
Vaught, 53, said he had not been looking to get back into higher education but became intrigued when he was approached about the opening at GCU, one of the fastest-growing private Christian universities in the country, which is in its second year of transition to the Division I level of NCAA athletics.
“It’s a very special and unique place,” Vaught said. “The leadership team is one that doesn’t just tolerate athletics, but celebrates it. Our vision for the athletic department is to be top 25 in everything we do. We’ll put a plan in place to get there and take the steps necessary to achieve that, whether that’s how we cut the grass or have student-athletes winning championships."