| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1947 (age 78–79)[1] The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Fordham University |
| Playing career | |
| 1966–1969 | Fordham |
| Position | Guard |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1969–1970 | Holy Cross (assistant) |
| 1970–1971 | Fordham (assistant) |
| 1971–1977 | Notre Dame (assistant) |
| 1977–1985 | Harvard |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1985–2012 | Fordham |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 99-110 |
Francis Xavier McLaughlin (born 1947) is an American coach and administrator who was the head coach of theHarvard Crimson men's basketball team from 1977 to 1985 and athletic director atFordham University from 1985 to 2012.
McLaughlin was born inThe Bronx and grew up inWoodlawn Heights. He was the fourth of five children born to Walter McLaughlin, aNew York City Police Department detective, and his wife Margaret Lynch McLaughlin. His older brothers, Walter Jr. and Jackie, were standout athletes atFordham Preparatory School.[1] Jackie McLaughlin played for theSaint Louis Billikens men's basketball team until his death in an automobile accident.[2] Their younger brother, Tom, is a formerUMass Minutemen basketball coach.[3]
McLaughlin led the Fordham Prep basketball team in scoring all three years he was a varsity player and was a unanimous selection to the 1965 All-City First Team.[1] He then played for theFordham Rams men's basketball team, where he averaged 10.0 points and 3.3 rebounds over 77 games and helped lead the Rams to an appearance in the1969 National Invitation Tournament.[4][5] He was selected in the 10th round of the1969 NBA draft by theNew York Knicks.[5]
McLaughlin began his coaching career as an assistant toJack Donohue at theCollege of the Holy Cross. After one season with the Crusaders, McLaughlin returned to his alma mater as an assistant toDigger Phelps. He followed Phelps to South Bend when he became the head coach of theNotre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team. In 1977, McLaughlin replacedSatch Sanders as the head basketball coach at Harvard.[4] His teams compiled a 99–110 record over eight seasons and did not win anyIvy League championships.[6]
On October 1, 1985, McLaughlin was named athletic director at Fordham.[7] Fordham's athletic department saw exponential growth during McLaughlin's tenure. He oversaw the addition of two new varsity sports (women's soccer and rowing), the creation of eight full-time coaching positions, promotion of several coaches from part-time to full-time status, and the addition to full-time staffing in the sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and sports information departments. During this time, the school also renovated Bahoshy Softball Field,Coffey Field, and the Murphy Field complex as well as the constructed of a new locker rooms for the football and basketball teams. Under McLaughlin, the Rams won 26 conference championships. In 2012, he was promoted to the new position of associate vice president of student affairs for athletic alumni relations and external affairs. In 2022, he became a special advisor to the director of intercollegiate athletics and recreational sports. He retired on December 31, 2023.[8]
McLaughlin is a member of the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame,Fordham Preparatory School Hall of Honor,Eastern College Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, Westchester County Sports Hall of Fame,Catholic High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, and New England Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2022, Fordham dedicated the floor in theRose Hill Gym as the Frank McLaughlin Family Court in his honor.[8]
McLaughlin and his wife reside inBriarcliff Manor, New York. They have three daughters who all graduated from Fordham.[8]