Buckingham Browne and Nichols coach Craig McLaughlin may be considered relatively new when it comes to head coaching longevity, but his vast amount of years involved in the game of baseball is what stands out. McLaughlin served as assistant coach with the Knights from 1999 to 2016 under then head coach Rick Foresteire before taking over the head job in 2017.
Over that 22-year span, he has been part of seven ISL championship teams. Two of his former players are currently playing professionally -- Rhett Wiseman (Washington Nationals organization) and Andrew Chin (New York Yankees organization and Sioux City of the American Association). McLaughlin has also worked as an associate Major League scout.
McLaughlin's decision to venture into coaching came during his time as a student-athlete at University of New Hampshire.
"I got into coaching because I was lucky enough to have two college coaches who really made an impact on me in different ways while I was at UNH: Dave Bettencourt and the late Chris Serino,'' said McLaughlin. "They had two different styles, but two great coaches and coaching mentors. From Coach Bettencourt and the little things it takes to win to Coach Serino (who also was an assistant coach with the UNH men's hockey program) and the competing every inning, each of those guys molded my coaching style. My father (John) also kept pushing at me as he thought I would be a good coach too.''
