His claim to fame camein his first season as head soccer coach for Azusa Pacific, though John Baugus is not one to remind people of his notoriety.
At the age of 21 Baugus became the youngest collegiate soccer coach in America, though there are no lists to prove the point. After a banner playing career, Baugus took over the head duties just four months out of college and inherited a team comparably as young.
The one-time popular academic all-American moves into his second year as head coach of Azusa Pacific. In four years as a midfield, Baugus guided the Cougars to three NAIA District III playoff appearances and closed out his career with 40 points, sixth on the Azusa Pacific all-time scoring list. He was a 3-time All-NAIA District III selection, a 2-time NAIA All-Far West honoree and a 1972 NAIA Academic All-American. He graduated from Claremont High School in 1979 and from Azusa Pacific in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in accounting.
