After being left without a coach last spring for the Boys’ Varsity team at Norwood High, the school had to quickly find a coach before the next season started.
That is where Marcus McLaughlin came in. McLaughlin grew up playing lacrosse in high school, and also played collegiately at Bridgewater State University. He is an experienced coach after stating that he has coached numerous teams in the state of Massachusetts for the last four to five years, before deciding to help Norwood out.
It was Mclaughlin himself who reached out to the Norwood High Sports Director, John Longley, for the position of Head Coach for the boys’ team. After a childhood spent in another TVL town, Dedham, McLaughlin felt confident taking part in a town he is very familiar with.
In their 2025 season, the boys ended with a record of 3-10.
Q: What is your experience with lacrosse in the past, or if this is your first time interacting with this sport?
A: “ Lacrosse has been a major part of my life for the past 11 years. I played all through high school and in college at Bridgewater State University. I have been coaching the sport for about four or five years now with various programs and teams around Massachusetts.”
Q: When becoming the coach, did the school reach out to you, or did you reach out to them? If so, then why?
A: “I reached out to Jon Longley after seeing the job was open for this upcoming season. Being from Dedham myself, Norwood had always been a major part of my athletic career, and is a program and town I am very familiar with. After looking at their schedule from last season and watching some of their games online, I saw a lot of potential in the program and decided to reach out about the position.”
Q: What are your goals and expectations for the season?
A: “As I enter my first season as coach, my ultimate goal is to build and create a strong team culture throughout the team and my staff. I expect everyone, starting with myself, to show up prepared and excited to work hard.”
Q: Are you confident going into the upcoming season as a new coach?
A: “This being my first year as a varsity head coach, I am sure I will face many trials and tribulations. However, I have an incredibly committed and knowledgeable staff who have instilled into me great confidence as I enter this season. Alongside them and the 18 committed players on our roster, I am confident in our team’s ability to succeed. “
