McLaughlin Named Special Teams Coordinator
1/28/2026 11:23:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, NY - Garrett McLaughlin has been hired as special teams coordinator for the University at Buffalo football team, head coach Pete Lembo announced on Wednesday.
A native of Orchard Park, McLaughlin returns to Western New York after spending the past two seasons as special teams coordinator and defensive line coach at Columbia.
Columbia punters earned All-Ivy League honors in each of his two seasons with the Lions. William Hughes was named to the second team in 2024 and Tommy Sleeman was named to the second team in 2025.
In his first season at Columbia, he was part of the Ivy League Coaching Staff of the Year, which helped the Lions secure their first conference title since 1961.
Prior to Columbia, McLaughlin spent three seasons as an assistant at New Hampshire, including two seasons as special teams coordinator.
The Wildcats' special teams shined in 2023, leading the nation with five blocked punts and leading the CAA in kickoff (24.17) and punt (18.37) return yardage. Dylan Laube was named the CAA Special Teams Player of the Year as a punt and kickoff returner. Special teamer Charles Briscoe III picked up an All-CAA third team nod.
In 2022, his special teams unit led the CAA and ranked No. 13 in the FCS in kick return coverage. The Wildcats also blocked three punts, which ranked third 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.
"We are excited to welcome Garrett to the UB football family and back home to Buffalo where he grew up," Lembo said. "Garrett is a smart and highly organized coach who is absolutely passionate about special teams. He has overseen highly productive units at New Hampshire and most recently at Columbia. Garrett is familiar with what we do conceptually, which should make for a smooth transition learning our special teams system. He also has successfully recruited in New York State as well as quality specialists on a national level."
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) and New Haven (2016).
McLaughlin returns to Western New York after beginning his coaching career as an assistant coach at 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 served as a student assistant coach with the Orange.
He attended Orchard Park High School where he played on two Section VI title teams and was also a captain of the school's wrestling team.
A native of Orchard Park, McLaughlin returns to Western New York after spending the past two seasons as special teams coordinator and defensive line coach at Columbia.
Columbia punters earned All-Ivy League honors in each of his two seasons with the Lions. William Hughes was named to the second team in 2024 and Tommy Sleeman was named to the second team in 2025.
In his first season at Columbia, he was part of the Ivy League Coaching Staff of the Year, which helped the Lions secure their first conference title since 1961.
Prior to Columbia, McLaughlin spent three seasons as an assistant at New Hampshire, including two seasons as special teams coordinator.
The Wildcats' special teams shined in 2023, leading the nation with five blocked punts and leading the CAA in kickoff (24.17) and punt (18.37) return yardage. Dylan Laube was named the CAA Special Teams Player of the Year as a punt and kickoff returner. Special teamer Charles Briscoe III picked up an All-CAA third team nod.
In 2022, his special teams unit led the CAA and ranked No. 13 in the FCS in kick return coverage. The Wildcats also blocked three punts, which ranked third 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.
"We are excited to welcome Garrett to the UB football family and back home to Buffalo where he grew up," Lembo said. "Garrett is a smart and highly organized coach who is absolutely passionate about special teams. He has overseen highly productive units at New Hampshire and most recently at Columbia. Garrett is familiar with what we do conceptually, which should make for a smooth transition learning our special teams system. He also has successfully recruited in New York State as well as quality specialists on a national level."
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) and New Haven (2016).
McLaughlin returns to Western New York after beginning his coaching career as an assistant coach at 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 served as a student assistant coach with the Orange.
He attended Orchard Park High School where he played on two Section VI title teams and was also a captain of the school's wrestling team.
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