Victorious Vaughn

The Midwest Athletic Conference is known around Ohio for the strength of its athletic teams.

It has certain teams that make deep runs nearly every year, from Marion Local often competing in the Division VII state football championship, to Minster being a regular contender at the cross country state meet. Along with the regular state appearances, many of the other schools will make runs on other years like the Indians’ trip to Akron for the state baseball tournament in 2024.

With the success of the MAC as a league being evident, recognition from the conference holds some extra weight to it.

This fall, one of the Tribe’s own received some of that recognition.

In his first full year as the head coach for the Fort Recovery High School girls golf team, Jeff Vaughn earned MAC Coach of the Year honors for leading the Indians to an undefeated season and its first MAC title.

“I’ve been around the MAC a long time in a lot of sports and anytime you can get MAC coach of the year, it’s a heck of a privilege and honor because you know your team was pretty good to be able to do that,” Vaughn said. “After reflecting for a month or so since we played, it’s unbelievable yet. I still can’t believe we went undefeated, but it’s just an honor to be coach of the year but the MAC being the great conference that it is, (makes) it an even more prestigious award.”

Vaughn initially was disappointed with the start of the season, dropping the opener against Tri-Village by eight strokes. FRHS followed up the loss with a split against Tri-Village and Arcanum and never looked back.

Following the two opening losses, the Indians took second place at the Gary Broering Invite and won every nine-hole event. They swept all eight MAC opponents, including runner-up and reigning champion Minster by two strokes near the midpoint of their season.

While the season ended earlier than the team wanted, it finished with a 13-2 record (8-0 MAC) and the first MAC championship in school history after winning the MAC tournament.

Vaughn found success trusting his golfers during matches and helping upon request rather than trying to provide coaching without the athlete looking for it. Rather than trying to correct wrongs, he focused his energy on being a support point to keep the girls positive.

“My philosophy when we went out there to play matches was I wasn’t going to coach too much,” Vaughn said. “They knew what they needed to do. I felt like through practices they were prepared.

“I think you can overcoach. I mean, obviously if they asked me for advice I would give it to them. Come match night I kind of just let them play and I think that kept them calm as well.”

Vaughn earned the award in his first full year as the head coach of the girls golf team. Prior to taking over the girls golf team, he has coached various teams either as the head or assistant at FRHS, including softball, boys golf and the basketball teams.

Most recently, Vaughn was the freshman boys basketball coach and the girls golf assistant coach. Vaughn assumed responsibility as the head girls golf coach following the passing of his close friend Joe Bruns.

“Obviously Joe set the foundation,” Vaughn said. “He was the head man and the one who really prepped these girls. I was fortunate enough to inherit some good players. … I kind of took over and just kept doing what he did.”

The team dedicated this past season to their late coach, who died of cancer midway through the 2023 season. Bruns revived the program alongside Vaughn back in 2013.

“Joe has always wanted to win that MAC title,” Vaughn said. “I’m honored to be able to do that in his name. Joe was a guy that really didn’t really care about honors and I’m not either. We’d rather see the girls have success.”

Beyond winning the first girls MAC title in Bruns’ honor, Fort Recovery is holding a ceremony on Friday at 5:45 p.m. to dedicate the new putting green to his name.

The ceremony will start with a welcome and invocation by Ryan Steinbrunner, followed by Fort Recovery Local Schools superintendent Tony Stahl talking about the details of the project. Jim Tobe, Bruns’ brother-in-law, and Brad Evers, former golf coach and colleague of Bruns, will speak about Bruns.

There will then be an honorary putt for friends and family before closing with Steinbrunner again.

“It’s just remarkable for me and many other ADs that have come before me who worked with Joe,” said FRHS athletics director Aimee Pottkotter about the dedication of the putting green. “We hate to see him leave us here on earth, but he leaves behind a legacy that is unmatched. There will be a plaque out there that tells a little bit about Joe, has his picture, and his motto for golf, ‘Grip it and rip it.’ … It’s great we can keep his legacy going and hopefully can benefit future golfers for years to come.”