McLaughlin Voted NE-10 Coach of the Year
Stonehill mentor honored by his peers for second time in seventh season
EASTON, Mass. (February 26, 2010) - Stonehill College men's basketball head coach David McLaughlin has been selected as the Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year by a vote of the Conference's 16 head coaches.
McLaughlin earns the award for the second time in his seven seasons as head coach at Stonehill, having also received the award from his peers following the 2005-06 season when he led the Skyhawks to a share of the NE-10 regular season title on their way to winning the Northeast Regional title for a trip to the Elite 8 and posting a program record 27 wins. McLaughlin has guided the Skyhawks to a 23-4 overall record so far this season, winning their sixth NE-10 regular season championship in program history with a 20-2 clip in Conference play - Stonehill's first out-right NE-10 regular season crown since 1997-98. Stonehill is also ranked first in the NCAA Division II East Regional rankings and hold a No. 18 national ranking.
Under McLaughlin's guidance,
Stonehill has captured the regular season title by way of the
stingiest defense in the Conference. The Skyhawks lead the NE-10 in
scoring defense (59.0ppg), field goal percentage defense (.389) and
blocked shots per game (4.9/gm),while ranking second in three-point
field goal percentage defense (.295). The team also leads the
Conference in rebound margin (+8.0) and defensive rebounds (26.7).
Stonehill has out-
rebounded 22 of its 27 opponents this season, posting a 19-2 record
in those games, and is a perfect 17-0 when holding the opposition
under 60 points. The Skyhawks have shown a knack for comebacks this
year, posting a 10-2 record when trailing at halftime and
collecting wins while erasing deficits of as high as 16 points.
They have won 12-straight road games since dropping a
season-opening overtime decision at Queens (N.Y.) College, posting
a perfect 11-0 mark on the road in conference play.
McLaughlin, a native of neighboring Brockton, is in his seventh year as head coach at Stonehill after serving as an assistant coach for three and a half seasons. He has led the Skyhawks to a 130-65 (.667) record over his coaching career with two NE-10 championships and two NCAA Tournament bids, with a third eminent. McLaughlin guided Stonehill to a program-record 27-7 mark in 2005-06 and the program's first regional title before advancing to the National Semifinal round. The Skyhawks have won 20-plus games four times over his seven seasons, including each of the last two years.
Stonehill is the top seed for the upcoming NE-10 Tournament, and will host the winner of tomorrow's NE-10 first round matchup between ninth-seeded Adelphi University (19-10, 12-10 NE-10) and eighth-seeded American International College (14-13, 12-10 NE-10) in a quarterfinal round clash on Monday at Merkert Gymnasium at 7 p.m. Admission to Monday's game will be $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for senior citizens and students, with students with valid college ID admitted for $1.00.
