John McLaughlin first began coaching wrestling at Woburn High School in 1984 and coached there until 1992.

During his tenure at Woburn High School, McLaughlin's teams compiled an impressive record of 118-21-1. That included 2 individual State Champions, 2 individual New England Champions, 9 Division 1 State Runner-ups, 2 High School All Americans and 23 Sectional Champions. The Woburn teams finished second and fourth in the Division States. In 1987 Coach McLaughlin was selected USA Wrestling Massachusetts Coach of the Year. In 1988 the Boston Globe named him as Coach of the Year. Coach McLaughlin was also a 3 time Division 1 North Sectional Coach of the Year. Furthermore, he served for 5 years as Division 1 North Sectional Chairman, as well as serving 3 years on USA Wrestling's Board of Directors.

Reverend McLaughlin went on to assist at Catholic Memorial where wrestlers captured 2 New England Championship Runner Up placements and, while at Catholic Memorial, he produced 4 State Champions. Reverend McLaughlin also assisted at Newton North where he produced 1 State Champion and 1 High School All-American. Currently Reverend McLaughlin assists the wrestling program at Foxboro High School which has produced 2 State Champions, 1 New England Champion and All-American, and 1 New England runner-up. Reverend McLaughlin is often called upon to assist other coaches in order to work with an individual wrestler in order to bring out their best.