Thirty-three years ago, Maurice Vaughn was under center leading a Dunbar football team that reached the city championship game.
“It’s a dream job to come back to my alma mater and be coaching at my alma mater,” Vaughn said.
Vaughn, 50, ran an up-tempo offense at Wilson, which has appeared in three of the last four D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association title games. The Tigers scored 43 points per game last season with an offense featuring two-time All-Met wide receiver Sean Savoy.
“It’s a balanced offense and we kept the other team on their heels at all times,” Wilson Coach Mark Martin said. “If they give him an opportunity to rebuild the program, he’s gonna rebuild it.”
Vaughn replaces Jerron Joe, who stepped down after last season's 4-6 campaign, according to Dunbar Athletic Director Henry Frazier. Joe compiled a 31-25 during his five-year tenure and won the 2012 Turkey Bowl in his first season before the title was revoked because the team used an ineligible player. Hired at 25 years old, Joe took over for a Dunbar team that was coming off a tumultuous season despite having just won its ninth DCIAA titles in 14 years.
Frazier said Vaughn stood out above the other candidates because of his football knowledge and connection with the Dunbar community. Vaughn coached youth football with Beacon House for seven seasons and won two Pop Warner national championships with the D.C. program. Vaughn said he had interviews for the position this week and found out he was hired Friday afternoon.
“We’re going to win, and we’re going to win the right way,” Vaughn said. “I’m just excited about getting to work and getting the chance to restore the glory at Dunbar.”
