The Jets went to the college ranks to add an assistant for Gregg Williams’ defensive staff.
Chip Vaughn, previously an Air Force defensive backs coach, joined the Jets as a defensive assistant and assistant defensive backs coach, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. Vaughn coached the Falcons’ defensive backs the previous two seasons.
Day 1 #1DB đ pic.twitter.com/0eLfCfPpAE
— Chip Vaughn (@Coach_CVaughn) February 25, 2020
This offseason, the Jets lost assistant defensive backs coach Steve Jackson, who became the new Cincinnati Bengals cornerbacks coach. Just two weeks ago, the Jets added Leigh Torrence as their assistant defensive backs coach. On Tuesday, the team added Vaughn, in addition to Torrence, to help assist Dennard Wilson, the team’s passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach.
Torrence played cornerback during his football career, while Vaughn played safety. It’s likely the two will help assist those two positions, respectively.
After playing college football at Wake Forrest University, Vaughn was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round in 2009. There, he played under Williams.
Vaughn was waived after spending the entire season on injured reserve, but he did earn a Super Bowl ring with New Orleans. Vaughn would go on to play two more seasons in the NFL, with stints in Philadelphia, Indianapolis and Carolina. From there, Vaughn played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL.
In 2015, Vaughn began his coaching career, overseeing safeties and assisting with special teams at Winston-Salem State University through the NFLPA Coaching Internship program. He was promoted to an assistant coach after the internship ended.
The following season, Vaughn joined Fayetteville State University football, where he was hired as defensive backs coach, defensive passing game coordinator and videotape exchange coordinator.
Now he’s in the Big Apple, reunited with Williams.