Lowell Tech coach Dave McLaglan enters 40th season of baseball

Greater Lowell Tech baseball coach Dave McLaglan looks intently at the diamond during a 2009 baseball game. MacLaughlan is still training the Gryphons. It recently started its 40th season. (The Sun file photo)

TYNGSBORO – Amazing wins. A gut-wrenching loss.

Dave McLaglan has experienced plenty of both in his decade on the baseball diamond. But as he enters his 40th season at great Lowell Tech, the longtime coach still enjoys the battle, and all that comes with it.

“At this level, I take it one game at a time,” said the 75-year-old McLaughlan. I enjoy doing what I do. Some of these things that kids today are getting into with their play approach, I’m back in the age of the dinosaurs.

Over the years, through ups and downs, MacLaughlan has managed to maintain an even keel. He led the Gryphons to more than 450 wins, most recently Friday’s 4-3 decision over Lowell Catholic, but it’s never been about personal stats. It’s about getting the best out of your players, and he feels he’s gotten better with his age.

“I’ve been fortunate to have the support of a great Lowell Tech administration,” said McLaughlan, 75, who retired from teaching at the school several years ago. “They let me continue coaching, which was great. I have also been fortunate to have great assistants who have been with me for a number of years.

Coach Mark Beatty has been McLaughlan’s right-hand man for over 27 years, serving as the JV baseball coach and varsity assistant coach. In the year The great Steve Botho, who died of cancer in 2020, was instrumental in the program’s growth, serving as a varsity assistant coach for the greats’ first 16 seasons.

“Those were two great guys in baseball,” McLaglan said. “I am very fortunate to have him on my staff. They got along really well,” he said.

Originally from Lowell, McLaughlan’s coaching roots can be traced back to 1972 in senior league baseball at Shade Park. In the year He joined the high school as the Greater Lowell JV coach in 1975 before becoming the head coach in 1984.

He led the team to a pair of North Sectional sectional finals, including leading a 15-5 team in their most recent run in 2019 to a 2-1 upset of eventual D2 North champions St. Mary’s.

“We were the only team that scored runs against them,” McLoughlan said. “We were looking forward to our 2020 season, because we had eight players coming back. Then covid ruined that year.

Since then, the group has been struggling to rebuild itself.

The Gryphons went 9-8 last season and earned the No. 38 seed in the bracket before bowing out to No. 27 North Reading 14-0 in the first round of the MIAA Division 3 tournament, only to see their fire improve.

“We’re young,” McLaughlan said. “We have a lot of sophomores on the field. We don’t have any senior pitchers in our top six, so we’re young there too. We have a war on our hands. Our league and non-league schedules are tough games and we are challenged throughout the year. If we don’t strengthen ourselves defensively, we will struggle because I never know when our strike will come.

Matt Stone is familiar with McLaughlin’s coaching style. The Lowell Catholic Giants have faced the Gryphons twice a year over the past 12 seasons with the legendary Lowell legend.

“Every game we play is competitive, close and fun,” Stone said. “It’s a great domestic rivalry where most of the players know each other but always play with great sportsmanship. The players follow the lead of Coach Mack. I think I’ve seen all of Coach Mac’s playbook every time we play, but then it hits another chapter that I haven’t seen yet. I have learned a lot and continue to learn from it.

Among their many fights was the marathon Senior Night affair at Lelechor Park. The last of the seventh was recorded at 12:30 in the school night.

“What a night,” said Stone. “Anytime we go up against great Lowell and Coach Mac, we have to be ready. I always make sure my lineup card is written before we play because I have a full chat before a game. That’s my favorite part of every game, the conversation we have before and after a game.

As for his legacy, McLaglan’s tenure speaks for itself.

“There’s no other coach who puts more time into the players and the game,” Stone said. “All you have to do is watch the game and see for yourself. It’s an honor to coach against him and I’m so glad we’ve been such close friends over the years. Coach Mac is the best.

McLaughlan remains in good form as he leads the next class down the field.

“We’re always optimistic,” said McLaughlan, whose team dropped its season opener to Bedford. “We told the kids, they’re competing every game, so don’t hang your head. Play the game the way it’s supposed to be played, regardless of the outcome. Done today, come back tomorrow and work harder, try to be better. Things can change in the next game.”

In the year When a young Mack Laughlan took over as Greater Lowell’s varsity coach in April 1984, when Ronald Reagan was in the White House, the top movie in the country was “Police Academy” and teenagers were blaring “Footloose” from their car speakers.

A lot has changed. Something didn’t happen. Dave McLaughlan loves coaching baseball.