Jim VanHootegem -- Assistant Track & Field Coach (Jumps), Texas A&M University Aggies

(as of track & field seasons 2009-10) VanHootegem (pronounced van-OTT-again) oversaw the jumpers and combined events at Miami (Fla.) for the past three seasons before joining Texas A&M to coach the jumps in August of 2004. During his stint in Coral Gables, Fla., VanHootegem helped the Hurricane women's squad sweep the Big East indoor and outdoor team crowns the past two seasons. His long and triple jumpers won six Big East crowns, and he helped develop UM's school record holder in the pentathlon and heptathlon. In addition to his time at Miami (Fla.), VanHootegem had stints at San Diego State (2001), Mississippi State (1998-2000) and Arkansas (1994-96).

Chris Vaughn -- Cornerbacks Coach, Memphis Tigers

(as of football season 2012) Chris Vaughn was named an assistant coach at Memphis on December 19, 2011. Previously he was hired at Ole Miss on December 12, 2007. The first player Houston Nutt recruited as a head coach at Murray State, Vaughn had served on Nutt's Arkansas staff the previous nine seasons, including four as recruiting coordinator.
On the field, Vaughn's coaching responsibilities have included the outside linebackers (2000-04), the outside linebackers and strong safeties (2001-03) and all safeties (2005, 2007). He spent the 2006 season as the director of on-campus recruiting.
In 2003, Vaughn guided a unit that helped Arkansas finish fifth in the Southeastern Conference in total defense and fourth in passing defense. The Razorbacks also ranked third in pass efficiency defense.
In 2001, Vaughn helped Arkansas' defense rank second in the SEC in the red zone by allowing teams to score 68.3 percent of the time, and third in the league and 30th nationally with a plus-five turnover margin. Vaughn also helped coach a 2000 defensive unit which led the conference and was 12th nationally in total defense by allowing just 292.1 yards per game.
The first player with whom Nutt made an in-home visit after his hiring at Murray State in 1994, Vaughn went on to earn four letters as a linebacker at MSU. He played his first three seasons for the Racers under Nutt and was a member of Murray State teams that claimed back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference titles.
Vaughn earned All-OVC honors as a senior in 1997 and earned his bachelor's degree in advertising from Murray State in 1998.

Brenda Vlasak -- Head Women's Tennis Coach, University of Northern Colorado Bears

(as of tennis season 2010-11) Brenda Vlasak is in her sixth season as a coach for the Northern Colorado tennis program. Vlasak spent the first two years as an assistant coach before being promoted to the head women's coach for the 2004-05 season.
Vlasak grew up in Colorado and as a junior was ranked No. 2 nationally in girls' 14 and under. She played No. 1 singles at Tyler Junior College for two years as she helped her squad win a pair of NJCAA titles. During her sophomore season Vlasak compiled a 34-5 singles and a 35-5 doubles record.
She then transferred to the University of Arkansas where she played No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles. Vlasak was an All-Academic SEC selection for the Lady Razorbacks and graduated with a 3.8 GPA. She was ranked No. 90 in the 2001 Preseason ITA singles poll and jumped to No. 72 in the rankings midway through the spring season. In the summer of 2001, she advanced to the NCAA Tournament in doubles.
Vlasak graduated from Arkansas with a degree in kinesiology in 2002. After completing her collegiate career, Vlasak decided to pursue her master's and coach at the collegiate level.

Page last updated: 1/1/12