Doherty enters her his fourth season with the Colonials, after being appointed head coach of the RMU volleyball program Dec. 31, 2021.
"We're excited for Danny Doherty to extend his leadership with the volleyball program as our next head women's coach," RMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Chris King '94 said. "He has demonstrated the passion and commitment for the future of RMU volleyball that our student-athletes deserve and expect in their next head coach. Danny is a person of the highest integrity, and he cares deeply about the holistic development of our student-athletes. His ability to connect with people and fit in our culture at RMU, as well as our student-athletes belief in his coaching and mentoring, set him apart as we went through the search process."
Doherty, a native of Akron, Ohio, has been on the RMU coaching staff since 2011. He began his stint as a volunteer assistant for two years before being promoted to assistant coach two years later, and in 2020 he was named associate head coach for the Colonials. In his role, Doherty's primary responsibilities included coaching the defense, scouting and recruiting.
"Danny is fully committed to achieving excellence and a championship culture not just for the volleyball program, but most importantly, for our student-athletes both in the classroom and on the court," King said. "The foundation of any great program or organization is the people. When you look at what makes our department special, it's everyone involved. Danny shares the same vision in making sure we develop our student-athletes for excellence in life and help them reach their full potential."
RMU qualified for the Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament in eight of the 10 years Doherty has been on the staff, highlighted by the 2019 NEC regular-season championship and a 2015 NEC Tournament title that helped the Colonials earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the sixth in program history.
Under Doherty's guidance, in 2019 the Colonials ranked 13th in NCAA Division I in blocking with an average of 2.79 blocks per set. Former middle blocker Emma Granger (2017-21) finished sixth nationally in the category that season with an average of 1.50 per set, while she concluded her career in 2021 ranked ninth in the country in aces per set (0.51). During her career at RMU, Granger, the program's first All-American according
VolleyballMag.com as well as the first All-Northeast Region selection according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), became the first student-athlete in program history to eclipse career totals of 1,000 kills, 500 blocks and 200 service aces.
"I'm both thrilled and excited to be named head coach of the RMU volleyball program," said Doherty. "I'd like to thank RMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Chris King, as well as the entire search committee, for this opportunity. As an alum, RMU is a special place with a lot of special people, and to have the chance to run a program I've been a part of for over a decade is an honor. I'm looking forward to building on our tradition of success and developing our student-athletes on the court, in the classroom and as part of the community."
In 2015 en route to the NEC Tournament title, RMU had a pair of All-NEC selections in middle blocker Kristin Thompson (2012-15) and outside hitter Arden Fisher (2013-16). Fisher ranked 10th in NCAA Division I in digs in her final season with the Colonials in 2016, averaging 5.34 per set, while both went on to play professionally overseas after their respective careers.
Doherty is a 2010 graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in interpersonal communication. He also earned a Master of Science from RMU in 2015 in instructional leadership. While an undergrad with the Golden Flashes, Doherty was a member of the men's club team, serving as a middle blocker and outside hitter from 2006 to 2009.
While also playing for the men's club team at Kent State, Doherty served as a student assistant with the women's program from 2008 to 2010. The Golden Flashes got off to their second-best start in program history in 2008, winning 10 of their first 13 matches. In both 2008 and 2009, Kent State finished third in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division.
Doherty also has experience at the club volleyball level, serving as a coach with the Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Association (PEVA) since 2011 after spending two years as a coach with the Ohio Extreme Volleyball Club. While coaching at Pittsburgh Elite, Doherty led six teams to qualify for the Junior National Championship tournament (2012, 2015-19).
In addition to his coaching duties, Doherty is the co-program leader of the Leroy M. Ball Colonial Leadership Academy at RMU, which provides an opportunity for student-athletes to lay the groundwork for a successful collegiate career and productive future post-graduation.
Doherty's wife, Sarah, earned her MBA from RMU in 2013. The couple reside in Coraopolis, Pa., with their dogs, Batman and Winnie.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT DANNY DOHERTY
Jen Flynn Oldenburg, Ohio State Head Coach
"There's no one more suited for the task of head at RMU than Danny Doherty. His passion for the student-athletes and the program has been apparent for the last 11 years. For him to step into the helm of the program is very exciting, and there is no doubt he will give his absolute best."
Glen Conley, Hiram Head Coach
"Danny is a great hire. I first worked with Danny at Kent State, as he was our student assistant and player on our men's club team. As a student assistant he was unusual because he didn't just want to play in practice, he wanted to know everything there was about how to run a program. He was willing to do the dirty work, from planning travel, ordering meals and being a do-it-all for the program. He earned our trust, and we gave him his own office. Soon he was breaking down film and helping run practices. He excelled, and it was evident he would become a great coach. I'm very proud of Danny and his commitment to the profession. RMU volleyball is in great hands!"
Alyssa D'Errico, Dayton Associate Head Coach
"Danny is one of the most genuine, authentic and caring coaches I have had the pleasure of knowing for the last 10 years. He's proven his ability to connect, relate and teach the game to his student-athletes at a high level. His constant willingness to learn and grow, however he can, will pay off immensely in the long run. I couldn't be more excited to see him take the next step in coaching career as the next head coach at RMU."
Mike Gawlik, Central Michigan Head Coach
"Danny's loyalty to RMU over the years has put him in a wonderful position to take over the reins of the program. His easy going nature and ability to relate to people will serve him well in building relationships with players and prospects. I'm excited to see where he leads RMU!"
Tim Horsmon, Dayton Head Coach (RMU Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2014)
"This is a great hire for the Colonials. Danny is both passionate about RMU and continuing to grow the game of volleyball. He has an infectious personality, and I'm sure the student-athletes will love to play for him. That same energy is why I think Danny will continue to be a great recruiter and why prospects will want to play for him at RMU. I'm excited to follow the program and watch someone I really like and respect push for championships in the Horizon League and give student-athletes a great experience while doing so."
Paco Labrador, Navy Head Coach
"Danny has what it takes to lead a program. He coaches from the heart, with a great mix of compassion, competitiveness and experience. Danny is a well-connected recruiter who will attract and develop the best and the brightest student-athletes to RMU."
THE DOHERTY FILE
Birthdate: May 25
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Alma Mater / Year: Kent State University / 2010, Robert Morris University / 2015
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (Interpersonal Communication), Master of Science (Instructional Leadership)
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Robert Morris University
(Moon Township, Pa.)
- Head Coach (2022-present)
Robert Morris University
(Moon Township, Pa.)
- Associate Head Coach (2020-21)
- Assistant Coach (2013-19)
- Volunteer Assistant Coach (2011-12)
Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Association
(Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Coach (2011-present)
Ohio Extreme Volleyball Club
(Massillon, Ohio)
- Coach (2 years)
Kent State University
(Kent, Ohio)
- Student Assistant (2008-10)
