Bio

Darby McLaughlin was named the Head Wrestling Coach at American International College in September 2023.

McLaughlin has been a physical education teacher in the Springfield Public School system for nearly a quarter century, having first been hired in September of 1999. He was named Head Wrestling Coach at Springfield Central High School in 2000 and built the program into a power, winning MIAA DI State Championships in 2006, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, and finishing runner-up six other times. His individual athletes have won 19 DI Massachusetts titles, including three New England crowns and a national title.

He has been recognized eight times by the Massachusetts State Coaches Association as Division I Coach of the Year, and earned NWCA Coach of the Year honors in 2006 and 2017.

In addition to his coaching duties and teaching, McLaughlin administered all other aspects of the Central Wrestling program. He led team study hall, collaborated with administration to ensure adherence to MIAA regulations, organized community outreach activities, and fundraised significantly to supplement the program’s budget. 

McLaughlin is an alumnus of the College, having earned a master’s in business administration and management in 2019; he previously earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Westfield State University in 1999.