By Brian Baublitz Jr., Louisiana Christian Head Sports Information Director
The Louisiana Christian University football program has found its man, announcing that former LC signal-caller Ben McLaughlin will be the team’s newest and 25th overall Head Coach per an introductory press conference Thursday morning.
“Welcome Home Coach Ben McLaughlin! We are excited about the future of Wildcat football as you take the helm, building upon the awesome work of Coach Drew Maddox,” proclaimed University President Dr. Rick Brewer. “Indeed, we are blessed to have someone with the giftedness, knowledge, and Christian leadership skills of Coach McLaughlin ready to go on day one. The future is brilliantly bright with Coach Ben McLaughlin as LCU’s Head Football Coach.”
One of the most decorated male athletes in school history, McLaughlin finished his outstanding football career at Louisiana College as the most prolific passer in school, as well as American Southwest Conference (ASC) history.
The 2010 ASC Male Athlete Of The Year as well as the Melberger Trophy Award winner and a finalist for the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy (the two NCAA Division III equivalents of the Heisman), McLaughlin finished his career as the ASC’s all-time leader in passing yards (12,055) as well as passing touchdowns (111).
He was a member of the NCAA Division III Football All-South Region 1st Team and is also the current record holder of QB Pass Efficiency.
His outstanding senior season in Pineville saw the Dierks, Arkansas native pass for an NCAA-leading 3,770 yards and 42 passing touchdowns while leading the Wildcats to a 7-3 record and an ASC runner-up finish.
During his four years at quarterback for the Wildcats, McLaughlin was also named the 2006 ASC Freshman Of The Year, the 2009 and 2010 ASC Offensive Player of the Year, the 2010 LSWA All-Louisiana Offensive Player of the Year, and a 2010 Associated Press Little All-American.
The standout passer won a gold medal with the USA National Football Team in 2011, played professionally for the Louisiana Swashbucklers of the Southern Indoor Football League and was inducted into the Louisiana College Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
As for his coaching career, Ben remained at Louisiana College after graduation as Running Backs Coach during the 2011-12 seasons. Leaving Pineville for the first time in six seasons, he ultimately landed at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M from 2013-15, where he was the Quarterbacks Coach during his debut year followed by back-to-back years as the Offensive Coordinator.
The alum returned home from 2016-18 as he took over the role of Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach under then Head Coach Justin Charles.
He would then stay local and move to the high school ranks where he chose Alexandria Senior High School, guiding the Offense to a Class 5A State Runner-Up finish in 2020. Shortly thereafter, McLaughlin got his first shot at being the head honcho, accepting a position as Head Coach of Buckeye High School in 2022.
Ben is married to the former Meagan Tison, a Louisiana College graduate herself, with which he has two daughters.