Center Grove’s boys soccer team didn’t make a repeat state championship run last fall, but observers of the sport still noticed head coach Jameson McLaughlin.
On Thursday, the National Federation of High Schools named McLaughlin as the 2016 Indiana Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.
“It’s definitely an honor,” McLaughlin said. “I don’t know that I deserve it, but I appreciate it.”
The Trojans came into the season needing to replace 10 graduated starters from the 2015 championship squad, but they still put together a solid year, going 12-4-3 and claiming another sectional title before falling to Mt. Vernon (Fortville) 1-0 in the regional final.
This past season, McLaughlin said, was more rewarding in some ways than the previous season.
“I had a lot of really good seniors who were champing at the bit, because they didn’t get a lot of minutes the year before. So they were coachable, they listened, they worked hard — and they’re outstanding students, first and foremost, so it makes my job as a coach a lot easier when you have a lot of really intelligent young men.”
McLaughlin was quick to point out that his program’s continued success is a product of the work of many. He expressed gratitude to all of the parents, assistant coaches and administrators who have made his job easier.
“It’s not only an honor for me, but it’s an honor for everyone involved with my program,” McLaughlin said.
