CINCINNATI — Friday nights under the lights are a little extra special for one family this year. As the La Salle Lancers take on Fairmont, head coach Pat McLaughlin will have his three sons all under his helm.
What You Need To Know
- Pat McLaughlin is in his eighth season as head coach for the La Salle Football team
- This season he has his three son all in the program: Pat, a senior; Jack, a sophomore; and Brooks, a freshman
- Coach McLaughlin tries to keep his title of "Dad" for home and "Coach" on the field
- The boys say they have looked forward to all being in the program together
At a La Salle Lancers football practice, you’ll see McLaughlin with all the energy. But in his eighth season as head coach for the program, this is a year he’s been looking forward to for a long time.
“That’s Jack, Patrick’s over there with the football and then Brooks," McLaughlin said, pointing during practice
That's right, all three of his sons all in the program in the same year.
“We certainly didn't plan this," McLaughlin said. "But it is fun. And now that they're, you know, so people talking about it now, you know. All right. Well this is actually happening. So it has been pretty fun for my wife and I.”
Let’s start with Pat, the oldest, the starting quarterback and senior captain.
“We put all the father-son stuff behind us," Pat said. "I feel like our connection these past, our whole life really, on the field I can look at him and be like 'alright, let’s run this' and he’s like 'okay, we can do that.' Him being my dad, our connection is unbeatable.”
Then there’s Jack, a sophomore wide receiver and safety.
“It’s weird, but it’s also cool seeing each other on the same field at the same time," Jack said.
And the youngest brother, freshman receiver and safety, Brooks.
“It’s good because I get to play for my dad and be at school with my brothers," Brooks said.
At school and on the football field, it’s one thing.
“I try when I come out here, like, not to be dad, to be coach," McLaughlin said.
And at home, Coach McLaughlin turns into Dad.
“Coaching he’s loud," Brooks said. "At home, he’s relaxed.”
Starting with the post practice routine.
“We come home from practice, put our stuff up," Pat said. "Come right back outside and start jump roping. We’ll do 400-500 jump ropes, go inside and drink our protein shakes and then we’ll take epsom salt baths or shower and then watch huddle and then relax the rest of the night. We’re usually in bed by 9:30, 10, and then it’s the same thing the next day.”
While the boys may disagree on their dad’s differences in coaching versus being a father, it’s obvious he wants the best for his kids.
“He’s really the same as he is at football," Jack said. "He's always on us about doing stuff for football and school.”
And beyond the boys of the McLaughlin family, you can’t forget the girls who keep everything together. Pat’s wife and the kids’ mother Layne, who makes sure everyone is fed and where they’re supposed to be. And little sister, Nora.
“I like to watch them and see them score and stuff like that," Nora said. "It’s really like… they try hard.”
It truly is a team effort at the McLaughlin household.
“It’s part of our family," Layne said. "I mean a lot of time is spent at La Salle High School. And we love it. Just to see the boys out there together, they love each other, they are each other’s biggest fans.”
It's a season to remember
“All three brothers, seeing them strive to be great and seeing them do it every day, it’s just a great feeling," Pat said.