I confirmed this one a loooong time ago (D3 DIRT – 4/26). It’s finally been made official – Matt McLaughlin has officially been named as the new Head Men’s Basketball Coach at D3 Bridgewater State University. Here’s the the release by BSU:
Bridgewater State University Associate Vice President of Athletics and Student Wellness, Dr. Marybeth Lamb, announced today that former men’s basketball standout point guard and current assistant coach Matt McLaughlin has been promoted to the position of head coach of the Bears’ men’s basketball team.
McLaughlin replaces Joe Farroba who retired after 30 years as the Bears’ head coach and 36 years on the coaching staff.
Matt joined the BSU men’s basketball coaching staff prior to the 2021-2022 season as an assistant coach. Prior to joining the men’s coaching staff, McLaughlin served as an assistant coach for seven seasons on the BSU women’s basketball staff.
“First and foremost, I want to thank Coach Farroba and Coach (Mike) Donovan for their unwavering support and confidence in me. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead, learn, and grow with all my current and future student athletes,” McLaughlin said in a statement. “I have always considered BSU my home and that’s why I never really left. It is an honor to be coaching not only a team I once played for, but a program filled with players that I believe in.”
Matt is a 2010 graduate of Bridgewater State where he excelled as a point guard on the men’s basketball team for three seasons from 2007 to 2010. Matt tallied 518 points, 212 rebounds, 351 assists and 145 steals in 82 games for the Bears while shooting 79.8% (142-178) from the free throw line. During his senior campaign of 2009-2010, Matt was selected to the All-MASCAC Second Team, named as the MASCAC Tournament MVP and played in the NEBCA Senior All-Star Game.
During his three seasons with the squad, the Bears made back-to-back NCAA Division III Tournament appearances including a run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2009. The 2008-2009 team also set the program record for wins in a season with 22 (22-7).
“Matt brings a unique set of experiences to his new role as head coach,” said Lamb. “As a former BSU student-athlete, Matt developed within our system. He knows the importance of developing student leaders and is acutely aware of the delicate balance between student and athlete.”
“As an assistant coach for both Joe Farroba and Bridgett Casey (head women’s basketball coach), Matt has learned from the best,” Lamb added. “I am looking forward to returning to the MASCAC Championship game and NCAA Tournament in the near future.”
Prior to coaching at Bridgewater State, Matt served as an assistant coach at Wheaton College from 2010-2011.
Matt currently works as a Physical Education and Health Teacher at Franklin High School, where he also works as a strength and conditioning coach. He resides with his wife, Kerry, and son, Rayland in Holliston, Massachusetts.
