Furman University

The longest-tenured member of Furman’s current assistant coaching staff, Duane Vaughn is entering his 13th year in Greenville and fifth season as defensive coordinator since assuming the duties in 2019.

Vaughn has thrived as architect of the Paladin defense, most recently evidenced by the work turned in last season when his unit played a key role in the Paladins’ 10-3 campaign that netted a second round playoff appearance and consensus FCS Top 10 final rankings.  Included in the season, Furman’s winningest since 2005, was a run of seven consecutive victories and five straight road triumphs — the most by the program in over 30 years.

Making the 2022 campaign possible was a Paladin stop unit that led the SoCon and ranked among FCS leaders in scoring defense (20.2 ppg), third down percentage defense (.318), and red zone defense (.718).  Furman’s 29 takeaways topped the FCS, as did the Paladins’ 18 interceptions — three of which were returned for touchdowns.  Paladin strong safety Kam Brinson led the FCS with four fumble recoveries.

Five Paladin defenders earned All-SoCon accolades in 2022, headed up by consensus first team free safety selection Hugh Ryan.

Over the last three seasons 13 Paladin defenders have been accorded all-conference laurels.

In 2019, in his first season as defensive coordinator, Vaughn spearheaded Furman’s drive to a playoff berth and AFCA No. 19 final ranking with a unit that led the SoCon in both scoring defense (20.5 ppg) and passing defense (167.4 ypg).  Three Paladins earned All-SoCon honors that season, and Furman placed a league leading three defenders on the SoCon All-Freshman Team.

Vaughn served as coach of the Paladins’ outside linebackers and as recruiting coordinator in 2017 and ‘18, during which time he oversaw the development of Adrian Hope, who led the FCS with 15.5 sacks en route to earning All-America honors as a redshirt freshman on Furman’s 2018 SoCon championship team.

He served as coach of the Paladin safeties for two years (2015-16) and tight ends coach for three campaigns (2012-14), which included Furman’s 2013 SoCon championship.   He began his coaching career as an offensive assistant with the Paladins in 2011.

In addition to his work with Hope, Vaughn played a key role in the development of a pair of highly regarded tight ends, including two-time consensus All-Southern Conference and FCS All-America performer Colin Anderson and all-conference performer Duncan Fletcher.

In 2016 Vaughn directed the work of All-SoCon safety Trey Robinson, a free agent signee of the New York Giants, while also overseeing the development of 2017 & ‘18 All-SoCon safety Aaquil Annoor.

A native of Clarksville, Tenn., he played running back and safety at Davidson Academy, twice earning all-state honors.

Vaughn enrolled at Vanderbilt in the fall of 2007 and was a member of the Commodore football program, lettering as a senior special teams contributor in 2010.  He was named to the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll all four years before graduating with a degree in secondary education and history.

He married Christie Linton on Augusta, Ga., on May 19, 2022.