Grand Canyon tabs Mike Vaught as new AD

PHOENIX (AP) Grand Canyon has named Mike Vaught to replace Keith Baker as vice president of athletics.

The 53-year-old Vaught spent six years as the deputy athletic director at Southern Methodist and was an assistant AD at Rice.

He's worked the past two years as director of corporate sponsorships for AdvoCare International, a health and wellness company that has brokered sponsorship deals with the Independence and Texas bowls, Roush Fenway Racing and FC Dallas of Major League Soccer.

Vaught also was an assistant football coach at Arkansas, Missouri State and Navy, where he served as offensive coordinator.

Baker was Grand Canyon's athletic director for 20 years before moving into another role at the school in August.

Grand Canyon is in its second year of transitioning to Division I athletics.