The Medgar Evers College Department of Athletics has hired Vaughn Ford as the institution's head men's volleyball coach, it was announced on Monday, January 6, 2025. Director of Athletics Chetara Murphy is excited about the potential of the program with Ford officially on board.
"We believe Vaughn will be an ideal fit here at Medgar Evers College," Murphy said. "Born and raised in Brooklyn, he is extremely familiar with the borough and the culture. Not only was he a student-athlete at Brooklyn College for three seasons, but he also served as an assistant for our men's team during the 2007 campaign. We believe with his combination of playing and coaching experience, as well as his ties to the borough, he has an opportunity to take our program to the next level."
Ford played three seasons at Brooklyn College (2012, 2014-2015) before coaching at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School for a year. There, he was able to witness live competition and learned how to help student-athletes adjust and gain fundamental skills.
After his short stint at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, Ford served as the assistant coach of Medgar Evers' men's volleyball team in the Spring of 2017, before taking an assistant position for CCNY's men's and women's volleyball squads in the Fall of 2017.
In the Fall of 2022, Ford was promoted to Head Coach of the Beavers' volleyball teams. He proceeded to lead CCNY's women's team to the CUNYAC quarterfinals in consecutive seasons, before pacing the men's squad to the CUNYAC semifinals in 2023, and the quarters in 2024.
When asked about the opportunity to be the Head Coach at Medgar Evers College, coach Ford referenced his excitement, as well as his personal reasons for being attracted to the position.
"I always wanted to coach at Medgar Evers College," Ford said. "This is a tremendous opportunity because of my history and ties to the institution. I have multiple family members that have received education here, and now I have an opportunity to make an impact and leave my legacy by enhancing the culture and building a strong program."
About what he could bring to Medgar Evers from his time as a head coach at rival CCNY, Ford elaborated:
"During my time at CCNY, I learned how to build a culture," he said. "Through coaching, I gained a lot of knowledge, and I passed that knowledge onto the student-athletes, hammering home the fundamentals and communicating to them how important chemistry and team-unity is. For me, its all about establishing a foundation and building upon it. I feel I have always done well with transitions during my young career, and I'm confident I'll be able to do it once again now at Medgar Evers."
