Nathan Dougherty

Nathan Dougherty

Dougherty with his nose protection around his neck
Sport(s)	Football, basketball
Biographical details
Born	(1886-03-23)March 23, 1886 Hales Mill, Virginia
Died	May 18, 1977(1977-05-18) (aged 91) Knoxville, Tennessee
Playing career
Football
1906–1909	Tennessee
Basketball
1908–1909	Tennessee
Position(s)	Guard (football)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Basketball
1914–1915	George Washington
Head coaching record
Overall	5–9
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
All-Southern (1908) AP Southeast All-Time football team (1869–1919 era) Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 1967 (profile)

Nathan Washington "Big'n" Dougherty (March 23, 1886 – May 18, 1977) was a Hall of Fame college football player for the Tennessee Volunteers football team. He later became the Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee and chairman of its Athletic Council. For this as well as his playing days Dougherty is "considered by many to be the founding father of UT Athletics." Dougherty was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967, and was a unanimous choice for the Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869–1919 era.

Dougherty played football and basketball at the University of Tennessee. He came to the university from Scott County, Virginia.

Dougherty played guard for the Tennessee Volunteers from 1906 to 1909, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 185 pounds. Dougherty was a standout in the sport before it became wildly popular around the country. Of the few accolades that were bestowed on individuals, Dougherty was an honoree. He was named to the All Southern team in 1907 and 1908.

The 1908 team was widely considered the best Tennessee football season up to that point. The backfield included Walker Leach. Vanderbilt coach Dan McGugin noted "All things considered, Leach was perhaps the best football player of the year in Dixie."

He was captain of the football team in 1909.