By Message Staff
PINEVILLE – Louisiana Christian University has tapped one of its former star football players to become the program’s new head football coach.
During a press conference Feb. 22, school officials named LC (now LCU) Hall of Fame quarterback Ben McLaughlin to lead the Wildcats.
“I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt this is my dream job,” McLaughlin said. “Why? Because this where God wants us to raise my kids. This is where God wants us to raise my grandkids. Everything that we’re going to do in life is right here in central Louisiana.
“My number one priority is to do everything we can do to develop these players as young men, as academic scholars in the classroom, develop them spiritually, help him to understand Jesus Christ and everything is involved in that,” he continued. “And obviously there’s a big part of that (in which) we’ve got to develop them as football players. It’s all intertwined.”
McLaughlin, who most recently served as head football coach for two years at Buckeye High School in Deville, became one of the most decorated male athletes in Wildcat history.
During this career at the school, McLaughlin finished as the American Southwest Conference’s all-time leader in passing years (12,055) and passing touchdowns (111), and won numerous awards: the 2010 ASC Male Athlete Of The Year, Melberger Trophy Award, Division 3 Football All-South Region 1st team, 2006 ASC Freshman Of The Year, 2009 and 2010 ASC Offensive Player of the Year, the 2010 LSWA All-Louisiana Offensive Player of the Year and 2010 Associated Press Little All-American.
McLaughlin also was a three-time ASC Academic All-Conference selection and finished his academic career at LC with a 3.8 GPA and a master’s degree in education.
After graduating, he remained at LCU as running backs coach during the 2011 and 2012 seasons and later joined the staff at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach and then as offensive coordinator at Alexandria Senior High School.
McLaughlin said his time at LC helped shape him as a football player and as a follower of Jesus, and that he looks forward to doing the same for his players.
Despite his success on the field, LCU Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and head men’s basketball coach Reni Mason described McLaughlin as humble. Mason said he fielded 50 calls about the head football coach position, including some from “big names,” but no one else was the right fit for the job.
“His character is unmatched for young people, and how he helps them understand who they are and what they are, the ability to draw the best from the least,” he said. “It’s who he is. We’re grateful to have him here. I’ve watched him speak to the young people this morning during his first introduction to his current players. He just resonates, builds bridges, and helps make players feel comfortable in who they are.”
LCU President Rick Brewer commended McLaughlin on his knowledge of football and love for Jesus.
“We welcome you back home and we’re excited about the future of Wildcat football as you talk the helm, building upon the awesome work of coach Drew Maddox and indeed, we’re blessed to have someone with your skills.”
McLaughlin follows Drew Maddox, who earlier this week resigned to become defensive line coach at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Brewer noted he was happy for Maddox, who left to pursue his dream of becoming a NCAA Division 1 head football coach.
“I’ll tell you what a class act Drew Maddox is,” Brewer said. “He’s contacting every guy that he and the coaching staff has recruited to come this year and he’s letting them know that Ben McLaughlin is the real deal. If you’d play for me, you’d play for him.”
