Coach's Corner

Coach Kevin Vaughn earns trip to NFL summit

Nov 12, 2007, 5:39 pm

By ANDRE WATSON Courier-Post Staff

Kevin Vaughn is the type of coach who will do anything he can to better himself at the craft. Vaughn, entering his first year as an assistant football coach at Woodrow Wilson High School, is known for his overall commitment to coaching, which includes spending countless hours in the film room after practice each day. So when he found out about the annual NFL Youth Football Summit, he figured this was the opportunity he's been waiting for his entire coaching career. Vaughn 40 will represent New Jersey at the annual event, which takes place later this week in Canton, Ohio. The summit also includes delegates from the 49 other states and one from the District of columbia, as well as 175 other youth coaches and other supporters of youth and high school football.

Vaughn was chosen for his coaching career, commitment to youth athletes and coaching philosophy. "I thought this would be a great opportunity," said Vaughn who spent the past five years as an assistant and head coach at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy in Philadelphia. It's going to be great to be able to interact with other coaches. (As a coach and a person), there's always room for improvement. I hope I take what I've learned from the seminars back to my school to better myself as a coach and a person.

The coaches at the summit will attend seminars involving a variety of issues that coaches face on a daily basis. Several former NFL players including former quarterback Boomer Esiason will be in attendance to discuss topics vital to the continued success of youth and high school football.

Speakers at past summits have included Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers and Hall of Fame wide receiver Paul Warfieid, among others.

Coach Vaughn had to submit three ideas for potential seminars at the summit. Vaughn said he felt there were three subjects that really needed to be addressed at this year's summit.

"I feel that proper hydration of players, proper equipment wearing and handling by players and proper tackling techniques needed to be addressed," said Coach Vaughn, who also runs a two-week football camp for inner city youth in Philadelphia during the summer. "Proper tackling is my biggest concern," Coach Vaughn said. "Kids need to be taught the right way to tackle, so they don't hunt themselves."

Courier-Post

July 24, 2007