Neil Dougherty
Encyclopedia
Cornelius Aaron "Neil" Dougherty (April 14, 1961 - July 5, 2011) was an American basketball
coach, most recently the head coach
at Texas Christian University
in Fort Worth, Texas
. Dougherty played basketball at West Point
for two years under coach Mike Krzyzewski before transferring to Cameron University
, where he played his final two years and earned his degree in 1984.
, Vanderbilt
and South Carolina
. He was an assistant of Roy Williams
at University of Kansas
for many years. He also served under Head Coach Eddie Fogler at Vanderbilt
and South Carolina
. In 1990 under Fogler and Dougherty, Vanderbilt
won the National Invitation Tournament
(NIT).
. Because Dougherty's defensive-minded approach clashed with Tubbs' up-tempo, high scoring approach, the team struggled to adjust in his first year, winning just nine games. The next year they improved by three wins, with the season's highlight coming with a nationally-televised 25-point victory over 10th-ranked Louisville
, coached by Rick Pitino
. In 2004–2005, the Horned Frogs finished 21–14, advancing to the quarterfinals of the National Invitational Tournament.
However, after losing star guards Corey Santee
and Marcus Shropshire to graduation, the Frogs
failed to build on the NIT momentum and stumbled to a 6–25 record in 2005–2006. This caused many TCU boosters and local media figures to question whether or not Dougherty was the right person for the job. His 2006–2007 team made strides, finishing 13–17, but the season also included an eleven-game losing streak, which did little to quiet Dougherty's critics. Dougherty was fired by TCU on March 16, 2008 after six seasons, only one of which had a winning record.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach, most recently the head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
at Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
. Dougherty played basketball at West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
for two years under coach Mike Krzyzewski before transferring to Cameron University
Cameron University
Cameron University is a four-year, state-funded university located in Lawton, Oklahoma, that offers more than 50 degrees through two-year, four-year and graduate programs. The degree programs emphasize the liberal arts, science and technology and graduate and professional studies...
, where he played his final two years and earned his degree in 1984.
Assistant coaching career
Dougherty began his coaching career in 1984 at Cameron, where he served as an assistant until 1988. He then moved on to take similar positions at DrakeDrake University
Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The institution offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and pharmacy. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country....
, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
and South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
. He was an assistant of Roy Williams
Roy Williams (coach)
Roy Williams is head coach of the men's basketball team at the University of North Carolina. After averaging nearly an 80% win percentage in 15 seasons at the University of Kansas, he became the eighteenth head coach at North Carolina when he replaced Matt Doherty in 2003...
at University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
for many years. He also served under Head Coach Eddie Fogler at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
and South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
. In 1990 under Fogler and Dougherty, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
won the National Invitation Tournament
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
(NIT).
TCU
On March 25, 2002, Dougherty was hired as the 18th head coach at TCU, replacing Billy TubbsBilly Tubbs
Billy Tubbs is a former men's college basketball coach. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native has been the head coach of his alma mater Lamar University , the University of Oklahoma and Texas Christian University .Tubbs was known for his high scoring offense and full-court press defense.Tubbs achieved many...
. Because Dougherty's defensive-minded approach clashed with Tubbs' up-tempo, high scoring approach, the team struggled to adjust in his first year, winning just nine games. The next year they improved by three wins, with the season's highlight coming with a nationally-televised 25-point victory over 10th-ranked Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
, coached by Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino is an American basketball coach. Since 2001, he has been the head coach at the University of Louisville. He has also served as head coach at Boston University, Providence College and the University of Kentucky, leading that program to the NCAA championship in 1996...
. In 2004–2005, the Horned Frogs finished 21–14, advancing to the quarterfinals of the National Invitational Tournament.
However, after losing star guards Corey Santee
Corey Santee
Corey Santee is an American professional basketball guard. He currently plays for Sumykhimprom Sumy in Ukraine.-High school:...
and Marcus Shropshire to graduation, the Frogs
TCU Horned Frogs
The TCU Horned Frogs are the athletic teams that represent Texas Christian University, consisting of 18 varsity teams. The "horned frog" nickname and mascot refer to the Texas horned lizard, as known as the "horned frog". The women's athletics teams are often referred to often as the Lady Frogs...
failed to build on the NIT momentum and stumbled to a 6–25 record in 2005–2006. This caused many TCU boosters and local media figures to question whether or not Dougherty was the right person for the job. His 2006–2007 team made strides, finishing 13–17, but the season also included an eleven-game losing streak, which did little to quiet Dougherty's critics. Dougherty was fired by TCU on March 16, 2008 after six seasons, only one of which had a winning record.
Record as Head Coach
| Season | School | Overall Record | Conference Record | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | TCU | 9–19 | 3–13 | |
| 2003–04 | TCU | 12–17 | 7–9 | |
| 2004–05 | TCU | 21–14 | 8–8 | NIT Quarterfinals 2005 National Invitation Tournament -Semifinals & Finals:... |
| 2005–06 | TCU | 6–25 | 2–14 | |
| 2006–07 | TCU | 13–17 | 4–12 | – |
| 2007–08 | TCU | 14–14 | 6–9 | – |
| All seasons | 75–106 | 30–66 |