Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Men's Basketball
- Title:
- Head Coach
Matt Doherty was named Florida Atlantic University's head men's basketball coach on April 18, 2005. He became the fifth head coach in FAU basketball history. He brings to FAU one of the most dynamic basketball backgrounds in the nation that includes coaching at the highest, levels as well as affiliations with some of the best teams, coaches and players in the game's history.
Doherty first made a name for himself when he played in 129 games during a stellar four-year career at North Carolina from 1980-84 under the legendary Dean Smith. He helped lead the Tar Heels to the 1982 National Championship while playing alongside players such as Michael Jordan and James Worthy.
He began his coaching career at Davidson College in 1989 as an assistant before moving on to Kansas three years later to begin a seven-year stint with Roy Williams and one of the nation[apos]s top programs during that time period.
In 1999 he was named head coach of Notre Dame, guiding the Fighting Irish to their best season in a decade before taking over in the same role at his alma mater in 2000 as North Carolina's head coach.
In his first season at UNC, Doherty led the Tar Heels to a 26-7 record and was named the Associated Press National Coach of the Year. The team was the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season co-champion and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Along the way, North Carolina was ranked no. 1 in February. He coached All-Americans and first-round NBA draft choices Brendan Haywood and Joe Forte. During that season, Doherty also put together one of the top-five recruiting classes in the nation.
Doherty's history of being one of the nation's top recruiters continued in his second season at North Carolina, when he signed Raymond Felton, Sean May and Rashad McCants, players who would play instrumental roles on North Carolina's 2005 National Championship team. In his final year at North Carolina, Doherty's team won the Preseason National Invitation Tournament, was ranked as high as no. 12 and advanced to the NIT following the season.
Prior to taking the North Carolina post, Doherty served as head coach at Notre Dame for the 1999-00 season. He immediately turned around a team that was without a 20-win season since 1988-89. By the time the season had ended, the Fighting Irish had finished with a 22-15 record, defeated five ranked opponents and played in the championship game of the NIT. That season Doherty led Notre Dame to a pair of victories over defending national champion Connecticut. He also coached future NBA players Troy Murphy, Ryan Humphrey and Matt Carroll.
Being around some of the most successful coaches in the history of college basketball has been an invaluable tool for Doherty. Prior to becoming Notre Dame's head coach, he spent seven seasons as an assistant at Kansas under Williams. During that time, among Doherty's duties was organizing the school's national and international recruiting efforts. The results of that were staggering.
The Jayhawks went 202-42 (.828) with an average of 29 wins per season. Doherty recruited eight McDonald's All-Americans and coached five All-Americans and eight future NBA players. Some of those recruits included Jacque Vaughn, Raef LaFrentz, Paul Pierce, Eric Chenowith, Jeff Boschee and Nick Collison. Kansas would win six conference championships and play in the NCAA Tournament in each of Doherty's seasons, including the 1993 Final Four.
As a player, Doherty was a starter as a sophomore on North Carolina's National Championship team that went 32-2. In all, North Carolina won at least 28 games in each of the four seasons Doherty starred as small forward and garnered three ACC regular season and two ACC Tournament titles, as well as four NCAA Tournament appearances. Doherty became only the second player in ACC history to post 1,000 points, 400 rebounds and 400 assists in a career. In his four years North Carolina went 117-21 (.848).
As a senior, Doherty received the Jim Tatum Award, which is given to the UNC student-athlete with the most outstanding achievements in his or her sport while constructively participating in the community. He graduated in four years and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
His basketball success made him a natural as an analyst, a role he has served for ESPN, CSTV and C-SET (Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television) in various capacities since 2003. Doherty has also been a scout for the NBA's New York Knicks and has organized and coached at various basketball camps, including the Matt Doherty Basketball Academy in Mooresville, N.C.
Doherty is married to the former Kelly Propst of Concord, N.C. They have a son, Tucker (7), and a daughter, Hattie (5).
Doherty File
Birthplace
East Meadow, N.Y.
Education
North Carolina (BS Business Administration, 1984)
Coaching Experience
1989-92, Davidson, Assistant Coach
1992-99, Kansas, Assistant Coach
1999-00, Notre Dame, Head Coach
2000-03, North Carolina, Head Coach
2005-06, Florida Atlantic, Head Coach
2006-12, SMU, Head Coach
Doherty's Coaching Record
| Season | School | Record |
| 1999-00 | Notre Dame | 22-15 |
| 2000-01 | North Carolina | 26-7 |
| 2001-02 | North Carolina | 8-20 |
| 2002-03 | North Carolina | 19-16 |
| Notre Dame | 1 year | 22-15 |
| North Carolina | 3 years | 53-43 |
| Total | 4 years | 75-58 |
