Opportunities come and go, but most wouldn’t miss the chance to work at their dream job with someone they admire. Assistant Varsity Football Coach and Head Boys Track Coach, Sean McLaughlin was offered the Varsity Football Head Coach position at Papillion La-Vista High School, and couldn’t turn down his “dream job.”
Starting the 2025-26 school year, McLaughlin will take over as Head Coach at Papio with his father, Dan McLaughlin, who has been the Monarch’s offensive line coach for 21 years and has been Sean McLaughlin’s mentor throughout his coaching career.
“Being a head football coach has always been a dream of mine,” McLaughlin said. “It was a hard decision. I love it here, this place is fantastic, but the chance to be a head football coach and work with my dad is really hard to turn down in any instance.”
In November, McLaughlin approached the school board at Papio about the coaching job that was recently left empty by former Head Coach Tim Williams and was officially offered the job on Jan. 15. McLaughlin previously worked at Papillion La-Vista South for eight years and afterward transitioned to Gretna East to fill the position of German teacher and Assistant Football Coach.
“The transition back will be interesting,” McLaughlin said. “So much has changed in the building in the last eight years. I’m looking forward to the experience.”
While he’s only been in the Gretna School District for two years, he’s proven himself as an invaluable part of the athletics and teaching department. He’s built a strong foundation with the other coaches and athletes he works with, and although they find it difficult to say goodbye, they are elated with the news of his new job opportunity.
“I wasn’t that surprised because I feel like that’s where he was almost meant to be,” football player, junior Connor Sams said. “I’m more excited for him than I’m mad that he’s leaving, even though I’m still upset.”
When it comes to the teaching aspect of the transition, the Gretna East administration has already found possible candidates to fill the spot of German teacher, and although this specific teaching position is difficult to find prospects for, the admin is determined to find the best fit for Gretna East. McLaughlin, on the other hand, will no longer be teaching German. Instead, he will join the social studies department at Papillion-La Vista as a freshman U.S. history teacher.
