Eric Vaughter

Eric Vaughter is regarded as one the top Goalkeeper trainers in the United States.  A two-time All-South and All-American collegiate player at Warren Wilson College, EV went on to play professionally for the New York Apollo in the American Soccer League where he earned the first of his four National Champion ‘rings’.  EV recently retired from coaching after 44 years, last serving as Director of Goalkeeping for Tennessee Soccer Club, in Nashville, TN.

Vaughter began his collegiate coaching career at Appalachian State University in 1979 where he was assistant coach for Hank Steinbrecher of US Soccer Federation fame.  Since then Vaughter has coached a lengthy line of Goalkeepers at various programs such as Sangamon State U (IL), Duke University—1986 Men’s National Champions, High Point U, North Carolina State U, UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Charlotte, Vanderbilt U, and most recently Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO.  EV has trained both Men’s and Women’s GKs at most collegiate programs where he has worked.  Prior to taking the GK Coach position at Sangamon State, Vaughter spent 2 years as the GK Trainer at noted Centerville High School in OH.

EV’s success with young GKs is continually shown by the increasing number of former Collegiate and NETperformance GKs in all levels of professional soccer throughout the USA.

EV served as Assistant Coach and GK Coach for back-to-back USISL and A-League National Champions Greensboro Dynamo IFC.   Additionally, Eric has trained GKs at many Youth Soccer clubs such as Real Colorado YSA, Harpeth Football Club, Ohio Galaxies Soccer Club, Northern Warren County Alliance, AFC Lightning, NPSA; to name a few. 

In addition to his work with collegiate and pro level GKs, EV has served as GK Coach and Evaluator for North Carolina ODP, TN ODP, as well as USYSA Region III.  In January of 2000, Vaughter was assigned to the US Soccer National Coaching Staff as a GK Trainer.  EV also served as inaugural GK Coach for the adidas ESP and US Club Soccer id2 summer programs as well as the adidas Summer League programs for collegiate GKs.  Each summer GKs from across the US come to live and train with EV to learn, improve their play, and study Goalkeeping at The NETperformance Goalkeeper Education Co.   Vaughter has written numerous articles and blogs on all aspects of Goalkeeping including training, preparation, match play and GK mental, physical, and emotional ‘fitness’.

In the business world, EV was a founding manager of Eurosport (now Soccer.Com) as well as working for Hi-Tec Sports, adidas International, Parker Athletic USA, isoBLOX Protective, and is owner and Managing Director of NETperformance GK Education Co.  EV currently works as a product development and marketing consultant for Reusch USA and is the Director of the Reusch USA NETwork of Coaches as well as helping in all facets of the Olympus Rugby brand of Continental Sports Supply, Inc. 

Vaughter lives in Brentwood, TN and is married to Warren Wilson alumnus Marsha Edwards.  They have 4 children—2 sons and 2 daughters.  Their son Zach, operates a business called Knucklehead Resilient Threads and is a band member of Floodgate Operators—a Blue Grass Band in Crested Butte, CO, and son Devin is a professional welder and Rugby player.  Both sons live and work in Colorado.  Vaughter is an avid reader and ice hockey fan who also enjoys Boating, Hiking, and playing Adult (Beer League) Ice Hockey.  EV is currently studying and flying to earn his Private Pilot’s license, and works closely with former WWC Goalkeeper Greg Deutsch to produce and broadcast the 3 Old Goalies podcast. Vaughter works each fall with local college programs to train GKs during pre-season training sessions.  This past fall, EV worked with the Men’s  program at University of Central Arkansas.

On May 25, 2022, EV hung up the gloves on a coaching career that spanned 44 years.  He continues to work with Reusch USA, and occasionally will guest-lecture/coach GKs at various levels and locations around the US. 

EV’s Coaching Philosophy:  Is quite simple:  Prepare the player to reach ‘the next level’—whatever that may be.  This is accomplished by a regimen of well-planned, intense, focused, directed and disciplined training and match competition; continued study of the game; the occasional ‘life lesson’; and most important of all—providing it all in an atmosphere of FUN.