Mr Baughn, a staple here at TJ, strengthens our community every day. photo by Jesus Flores-Sanchez
Balancing Athletics, Education, and Mentorship, Coach Baughn has made a lasting impact on the school community.
At Thomas Jefferson High School, the school is full of passionate and connected staff and administrators; however, few embody the role of an educator like Graham Baughn. As the schools Concurrent Enrollment coordinator, a psychology teacher, and a head coach for TJ’s baseball team, he easily balances his responsibilities while maintaining and building relationships with students.
For Baughn, baseball is more than a sport; it’s a lifelong passion which has profoundly influenced and shaped his career. Growing up in North Carolina, the game of baseball was all around him, thanks to his father and brother who both played baseball. Baughn found early mentorship with his little league coach, Randy Mullis, who shaped his ideology as a coach and a person. “I basically grew up around baseball,” he said, “Randy was like a second dad to me during little league, and his influence has shaped a lot of the coaching philosophy I use today.”
His coaching career began in college, playing at UNC Asheville, after a brutal shoulder injury cut his playing days short. While recovering, he took on a player-coaching role, working with pitchers and discovering his role for mentorship. This newfound passion brought him to Colorado where he would receive his Masters degree in Sports Psychology, at the University of Denver in 2010. He first began his coaching career at Mullen High School, then he moved to a Division lll school in California before joining the TJ coaching staff in 2015. By 2017, he took over the role as head coach, which he continues to embrace. After taking over, Baughn quickly realized that coaching was more than just improving batting averages and winning games, but it was also about teaching life skills. Baughn stated, “Most of my players aren’t going to make a living playing baseball,” he explained, “but the game teaches discipline, teamwork, and resilience – skills they’ll carry for life.”
One of his proudest moments as a coach included his first season in 2017, after taking over as head coach only two months before the season, the team made it to the state championship for the first time in six years. “That was a huge confidence boost,” he said. “It reassured me that I was on the right path as a coach.” What he treasures most, however, are the lasting relationships he has built with his players. He recalled a former player reaching out years after graduation for advice about returning to the sport. “Those moments are so meaningful. It’s rewarding to know they still see me as someone they can turn to.”
While baseball has played a pivotal role in Baughn’s career, his path to teaching psychology was less straightforward. He began college as an engineering major before switching to mathematics. It wasn’t until his third year that he discovered psychology through a class taught by Dr. Joseph BeryHill, which changed his trajectory, leading him to earn a degree in the subject. His passion for psychology deepened after he suffered a shoulder injury. Dealing with identity loss and depression, he sought therapy which was a turning point in his life. “As an athlete, your identity can become so tied to the sport.” he reflected, “Therapy helped me work through that and opened my eyes to the value of sports psychology.” Today, while he does not work exclusively in sports psychology, he uses his knowledge to help his coaching skills, navigating players’ challenges and optimizing their mental game.
Baughn’s behind the scenes role as TJ’s Concurrent Enrollment and College Readiness Coordinator involves overseeing dual enrollment programs, assisting students with registration, exploring course options, and solving any issues that arise. “It’s a lot of behind the scenes work,” he noted, “but it’s incredibly rewarding to see students thrive and get a head start on their college education.”
Whether it’s on the baseball diamond, in the classroom, or supporting students through enrollment, Baughn’s ultimate goal is to be a mentor. “Everyone here is focused on building relationships,” he said. “For me, it’s about being someone students can trust and rely on – even beyond graduation.” His own experiences growing up, such as excelling academically but facing social struggles, fuel his empathy for students who “appear to have it all together” but may need support. “It’s easy to assume a straight A student doesn’t have problems,” he noted, “but that’s not always the case. I try to connect with those students and offer the support I didn’t always have.” As a mentor at TJ, Baughn continues to inspire through his dedication to students and his multifaceted role. His journey, shaped by successes and challenges, exemplifies the value of strong relationships between players and coaches. For students and athletes alike, Baughn is more than just a teacher or coach – he’s a mentor who understands the transformative power of what he does. At TJ, his impact is undeniable.
