Garrett McLaughlin

Garrett McLaughlin was named defensive line coach and special teams coordinator in January 2024. McLaughlin joined the Lions after four seasons with the University of New Hampshire, where he coached defensive ends and special teams.

In McLaughlin's first year at Columbia, the Lions won their first conference title in 63 years, while being the #2 scoring defense in the country. Assisting that was Kick Off Coverage defense which also ranked #2 in the country for the 2024 season.

While at UNH, the Wildcats special teams shined in 2023, leading the nation with five blocked punts and led 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 earn a spot on the second team and a special teamer pick up a third team nod.

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 FCS in kick return coverage and the Wildcats blocked three punts, good for 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.

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 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.