Philadelphia Barrage head coach, Spencer Ford, announced today the hiring of Brian ‘Doc’ Dougherty as an assistant coach, overseeing strategy on both sides of the ball this season for the revived MLL franchise.
“A Barrage team would be incomplete without Doc,” said Philadelphia Barrage head coach, Spencer Ford.
“When I played in the league in 2007, we lost the championship to the Barrage because of Doc. Beyond his legendary playing experience, he has coached youth through top Division 1 talent in Philadelphia, and now he will add coaching professionally in Philly to his already impressive resume. He understands the toughness we are building at the Barrage because he has personified it throughout his career. He is an all-time great and I am honored to have him on my staff.”
Brian ‘Doc’ Dougherty was drafted into Major League Lacrosse for the inaugural season in 2001. His career spanned 2001 to 2009, during which he won three MLL Championships. Dougherty was the starting goalie for the Philadelphia Barrage from 2004 to 2008. During that time he led the Barrage to two Championships (2006, 2007). To this day Dougherty holds a number of records in the league’s record books, including being fourth in all-time save percentage in a single season (playing six games or more) achieved in the Barrage’s 2006 Championship season. In the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the Barrage Dougherty was named MLL Goalie of the Year.
Brian Dougherty’s career started here in Philadelphia at The Episcopal Academy. He went on to play at the University of Maryland, where was a two-time First Team All-American and was also named the nation’s most outstanding tournament player when he led the Terps to the finals in 1995. Dougherty is a two-time recipient of the Ensign C. Markland Kelly, Jr. Award as the NCAA Goalie of the Year. His exceptional contribution and career with the Terps led to his induction into the University of Maryland Hall of Fame in 2008, a HOF class that also included lacrosse legend Kelly Amonte-Hiller.
After college he balanced his professional playing career between Major League Lacrosse, the NLL and Team USA. Dougherty won two Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Gold Medals as the goalie for Team USA at the 1998 and 2010 FIL World Championships.
Since playing, Dougherty has had a decorated coaching career. He has coached for Penn, Haverford College, Chestnut Hill College and now is the head coach at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.
“I am excited that the Barrage are back and that I will, again, get to be a part of the best lacrosse franchise in Major League Lacrosse history,” said Dougherty. “The memories I have playing with the Barrage and playing in front of hometown fans, are some of the best of my career. Getting to come back and lead the next generation of MLL talent in front of the next generation of Philly fans means the world. True to the spirit of Philly, Spencer and I want to build the toughest team in the league. The Barrage are Back and we are going to be better than ever!”
Come cheer on Coach Dougherty and the Barrage this season. The Barrage home schedule will open with the team facing the Chesapeake Bayhawks on June 6. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, March 11. Visit the Philadelphia Barrage’s website by clicking here.
