McLaughlin steps aside as QU sprint football coach

QUINCY — Conner McLaughlin helped bring the Quincy University sprint football program to life. The next coach’s challenge will be to continue the upward trajectory.

Late last week, McLaughlin resigned as the Hawks’ head coach after three seasons at the helm.

QU athletic director Josh Rabe said a search for McLaughlin’s replacement begins immediately.

A Quincy native who played football at Quincy Notre Dame, McLaughlin was named the sprint football program’s coach in 2021 and led the Hawks to winning seasons in each of his first two campaigns. He compiled an 11-10 record in three seasons and made the Midwest Sprint Football League playoffs twice.

Prior to coming to QU, McLaughlin spent four seasons as the head football coach at Unity-Payson, guiding the Mustangs to the Class 2A playoffs in 2019.