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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Tom McLauchlin Joins Ole Miss Softball Coaching Staff
1/20/2006 | Softball
Jan. 20, 2006
OXFORD, Miss. - First-year head coach Missy Dickerson has announced the signing of Tom McLauchlin to be Ole Miss Softball's top assistant coach in 2006.
McLauchlin joins Dickerson in Oxford after spending three seasons assisting her at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, where they led the Islanders to three straight NCAA Tournament berths and three consecutive Big South Conference Championships (2003 to 2005).
McLauchlin, who will serve as the Rebels' pitching coach, will also serve as the primary developer of the catchers and assist with the offense and recruiting, along with coordinating team travel and scheduling, among other duties.
"Coach Tom has been an integral part of my staff for the last several years," Dickerson said. "To bring him with me from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi seemed to be only a natural decision. His wealth of knowledge of the game, especially with the pitchers, adds significant dimensions to our staff as a whole. I look forward to continuing to work with him."
During his tenure in Corpus Christi, the Islanders' pitching staff ranked among the nation's leaders in several categories. He also developed Sarah Pauly into an All-American (NFCA third team, 2005), while she won three consecutive Big South Pitcher of the Year honors. In 2005, Pauly ranked in the top five nationally in wins, strikeouts per seven innings and earned run average.
Prior to his stint with the Islanders, McLauchlin spent three seasons as an assistant with Oklahoma Baptist University. He was part of a Lady Bison staff that won NAIA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in 2002.
Before spending one season as an assistant at Case Western, McLauchlin served five years as the head softball coach at Cleveland State from 1991-96, where he compiled a 92-129 mark. He led the Vikings to a 37-13 record in 1995 and chaired the NFCA Rules and Umpiring Committee while at Cleveland State.
McLauchlin also has an extensive background in umpiring. He has worked 10 ASA National Championships, two NCAA Division I Women's College World Series and a U.S. Olympic Festival (also played and managed in the Festival). He has also served as the Director of Softball Operations at the World Series Indoor Training Facility in Cleveland, Ohio.
Prior to his coaching career, McLauchlin served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, coaching football and softball for the Corps. He also played softball at the Men's Major level for 24 years, including two years as a player/head coach.
A native of Pontiac, Mich., McLauchlin earned a bachelor's degree in occupational training and development from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in 2005. He has two sons, Thomas and Kenneth, and several grandchildren.
