Garrett McLaughlin was named defensive line coach and special teams coordinator in January 2024. McLaughlin joined the Lions after three seasons with the University of New Hampshire, where he coached defensive ends and special teams.
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In his first season with the Lions, he was part of the Ivy League Coaching Staff of the Year, which helped Columbia secure its first conference title since 1961. He coached senior defensive lineman Ben Corniello to first-team All-Ivy League honors, and Patrick Passalacqua earned a spot as an honorable mention selection. The Lions overcame three injuries on the unit and still managed to help the defense rank No. 2 in scoring defense (16.1 points).
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On special teams, William Hughes picked up All-Ivy League honors and set a program record with an 80-yard punt. Kicker Hugo Merry drilled 11 consecutive made field goals to also establish a new Columbia benchmark.
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The Wildcats’ special teams shined in 2023, leading the nation with five blocked punts and leading the CAA in kickoff (24.17) and punt (18.37) return yardage. Dylan Laube earned All-CAA honors as a punt and kickoff returner, two defensive ends earned a spot on the second team, and a special teamer pick up a third team nod.
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Under McLaughlin’s tutelage, Dylan Ruiz was named to three All-America teams after posting 14.5 sacks in 2022. Additionally, his special teams unit led the CAA and ranked No. 13 in the FCS in kick return coverage. The Wildcats also blocked three punts, which ranked No. 3 in the nation during the 2022 campaign. For his work with special teams, McLaughlin was named a 2022 'Special Teams Coach on the Rise' by Our Coaching Network.
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In 2021, both starting defensive ends, coached by McLaughlin, earned all-conference honors, including Josiah Silver, who led the CAA in sacks and was named a second-team All-American. The Wildcats finished second overall in the CAA in sacks for the season.
Prior to UNH, he served as an assistant coach at Bates College for three seasons (2018-2021), as special teams coordinator and defensive line coach. He also had coaching stops at Wagner (2017), New Haven (2016) and Buffalo State (2012-2015).
McLaughlin graduated from Syracuse University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management from the David B. Falk School of Sport and Human Dynamics. He started his coaching career as a student assistant coach with the Orange.
