Bio

Vaughn Van Dame is in his second season and serves as Wide Receivers Coach and Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Iowa Western, where he plays a key role in the Reivers’ success on the field and in the weight room. Van Dame was part of Iowa Western’s 2024 National Championship run, coming up just short of a 3-peat, coaching two NJCAA All-American wide receivers while continuing his track record of developing athletes for the next level. Over the past four years, he has helped send more than 10 wideouts to Division I programs, and over the last seven years, he has seen more than 80 players move on to four-year schools.

In addition to his position work, Van Dame directs the strength and conditioning program for the entire athletic department, preparing Reiver student-athletes across all sports to compete at the highest level.

Prior to coming to Iowa Western, he guided a dramatic program turnaround as Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Salt River Junior College (HJCAC), where he took the program from 0–9 to 6–3 in just one season. From 2019–2020, Van Dame coached at Gila River Junior College (HJCAC), helping lead the program to back-to-back undefeated conference championships and two Top 30 finishes in the JCGridiron Dirty 30 national rankings. He also coached at Garden City Community College, serving as Wide Receivers Coach, Recruiting Coordinator, and Head Strength & Conditioning Coach. While at Garden City, he was instrumental in building the nation’s No. 1 transfer recruiting class in 2023.

A former professional player in the Indoor Football League, Van Dame brings energy, experience, and player development expertise to the Reivers.

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
High School: La Cueva

College:
Southwestern College (KS)

Year at IWCC: Second

Coach Experience: 2017- Highland HS (NM)DBs and WRs Strength and Conditioning Coach