GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNC Greensboro (UNCG) head men's soccer coach Chris Rich has announced the addition of Garrett McLaughlin to his staff as an assistant coach.
 
McLaughlin comes to UNCG from Lipscomb where he spent the last four years. He was an associate head coach last year.
 
"We are extremely excited to welcome Garrett, Kristin, and their young son Cameron to the UNCG family," Rich said. "Garrett brings a wealth of knowledge and experience after successful stints at Lipscomb and Xavier. We conducted an extensive national search for this position as this hire was very important to me and the program. We received a lot of interest so there were many qualified candidates, but Garrett was clearly the perfect fit. We believe he will compliment myself and Coach Ibarra really well and will be a fantastic resource to our student-athletes."
 
During his time with Lipscomb, McLaughlin helped the Bisons reached their first two NCAA Tournaments in program history. In 2018 they reached the NCAA Sweet 16 after defeating No. 25 Washington and No. 9 UCF in the first two rounds. They ended the season ranked in three of the year-end Top 25 polls.
 
During that 2018 season, the Bisons men's soccer program also had the highest team grade point average in the country with a cumulative 3.7 grade point average.
 
Prior to Lipscomb, he was an assistant coach for Xavier University's men's soccer program where he assisted in all areas of the program. Specifically, in managing day-to-day on-field training, recruiting and team academics.
 
Helped Xavier clinch a spot in the Big East Tournament. Also, helped coach the 2016 Big East Defender of the Year, Cory Brown. As well as Jalen Brown, an All-Big East selection, who was drafted in the second round of the MLS Draft to New York City FC.
 
"First, I would like to thank Coach Rich for the opportunity to be a part of the UNCG men's soccer program," McLaughlin said. "I am incredibly excited to get to work alongside him, the rest of the staff, and the team to continue to build on the success that the program has already built.  I've seen the passion and joy within the program and athletics department and I'm looking forward to having my family become a part of the UNCG family."
 
Before Xavier, McLaughlin had two successful seasons as a Volunteer Assistant at Lipscomb, where in his first season, he helped the Bisons to a program-best 12-4-1 record securing the  A-Sun regular season title in 2014. The Bisons were 18-14-2 overall during his two years in Nashville, racking up several conference honors in the process.
 
McLaughlin trained the 2014 A-Sun Defender of the Year, Luke Gearin, and the A-Sun Freshman of the Year, Ivan Alvarado. While at Lipscomb, he also coached at the Tennessee Soccer Club.
 
Prior to being a Volunteer Assistant at Lipscomb, McLaughlin began his coaching career as an assistant at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, a Division III school in his home state of Texas. The Cru racked up a 26-19-4 record during his three years with numerous conference awards and accomplishments.
 
McLaughlin played at Lipscomb University during the 2007-2010 seasons and was a four-year starter. He was a three-year captain of the Bisons, starting 67 out of 72 games played throughout his four years. He scored 10 goals and had eight assists in his tenure. He helped the Bisons to their first ever ASUN Conference Tournament appearance in 2007.
 
Originally from Belton, Texas, McLaughlin played for the Lonestar Soccer Club in Austin. He holds a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in counseling.