Sport(s) | Football |
---|---|
Biographical details | |
Born |
Andover, Massachusetts |
July 25, 1918
Died | January 2, 2000 Tucson, Arizona |
(aged 81)
Playing career | |
1941–1943 | Boston College |
Position(s) | Quarterback |
Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
1946 | Notre Dame (assistant) |
1947–1950 | Arizona State |
1951 | Rhode Island |
1952 | Punchard HS (MA) |
1953–1954 | Lawrence HS (MA) |
1956 | Philadelphia Eagles (assistant) |
1957–1958 | Arizona |
1959–1961 | Xavier |
1964 | St. Augustine HS (CA) |
1965–1970 | St. Mary's HS (AZ) |
1971–1975 | Holy Cross (MA) |
1978–1982 | Salpointe Catholic HS (AZ) |
Head coaching record | |
Overall | 67–83–3 (college) |
Bowls | 0–2 |
Accomplishments and honors | |
Championships | |
2 Arizona Class AA High School Football (1967–1968) | |
Awards | |
Arizona High School Football Coach of the Year (1967) |
Edward A. Doherty (July 25, 1918 – January 2, 2000) was an American football player and coach. He served as head football coach at Arizona State University (1947–1950), the University of Rhode Island (1951), the University of Arizona (1957–1958), Xavier University (1959–1961), and the College of the Holy Cross (1971–1975), compiling a career college football record of 67–83–3. He is the only person to serve as head coach for in-state rivals Arizona and Arizona State.
Doherty played quarterback at Boston College from 1941 to 1943. He was nicknamed "The Brain" for his innovative style. When most of the Boston College coaching staff left for military duty in 1943, Doherty, then a senior, was a finalist for the job of head coach. The job would eventually go to line coach Moody Sarno. Doherty was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round (39th overall) of the 1944 NFL Draft, but instead joined the United States Navy.
After one season as an assistant at Notre Dame in 1946, Doherty became head coach at Arizona State, where he compiled a 25–17 record from 1947 to 1950. He left after ASU five days after defeating rival Arizona, 47–13, because he felt that he didn't have enough job security.
In 1951, he coached at Rhode Island, where he compiled a 3–5 record. From 1952 to 1954, Doherty coached high school football at Punchard High School (1952) and Lawrence High School in Massachusetts (1953–1954). He returned to college football in 1957 after one season as an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles. From 1957 to 1958, Doherty coached at Arizona, where he compiled a 4–15–1 record. Unlikely to be brought back for a third season, Doherty resigned and became head coach of Xavier University.