Coastal Carolina assistant Brendan Dougherty began his collegiate playing career by winning a JUCO National Championship and every stop since then has been no stranger to success either. After transferring to Coastal and at the conclusion of his time as a Chanticleer infielder, Dougherty embarked on a life in coaching that has brought him back to the coast and to his alma mater. Dougherty recently took some time for DP to answer some questions for our viewers, enjoy his responses!
DP-How many years have you been in coaching? What got you into the business?
BD-It is hard to believe for me, but I have been coaching now for 10 years. My dad coached High School basketball for 12 years before he got into the FBI so I would have to say he got me started and my High School coach Vince Ardery really had a passion for teaching the game and he was an innovator at the high school level.
DP-What is the most rewarding thing about being a baseball coach?
BD-The most rewarding thing for me is seeing a kid develop. That is why I wanted to get into coaching to develop and try to see kids come into your program and allow them to fail and succeed and ultimately develop into successful players on and off the field.
DP-What does the term "coach" mean to you?
BD- ‘Coach’ to me is someone that is a teacher and a mentor to anyone he is in contact with. This job never stops, you are always working and trying to direct kids to be successful on and off the field and prepare them for life after college and some of them get the chance to move on professionally.
DP-What is something you wish everyone knew about your profession?
BD-It is not a Monday through Friday recreational job. It is 24 hours 7 days a week.
DP-We all know there is very little money in getting started in coaching at the college level yet the time involved is mind-boggling, why did you do it?
BD-I wanted to stay in the game after I got done playing and I felt this was the best way I could. I played for a lot of great coaches in my career and I wanted to follow in their footsteps. I never got in it for the money.
DP-Describe your various coaching experiences, from how it began to some of your highlights while there and how you ended up back at Coastal:
BD-I really owe getting into college baseball to Mike Kennedy who offered me a job right out of college. To begin my career at Elon and working for Mike for 4 years was special. I had an opportunity to go to Auburn and coach in the SEC for a year and that was a great experience for me also. I then moved on to The United States Military Academy for two of the best years of my life. Finally, Coach Gary Gilmore called and offered me this chance and there was no way I could turn it down.
DP-You coach at your alma mater, tell us what that means to you.
BD-It means a lot to me. The opportunity to work with the guy you played for means everything. Coach Gilmore has given me a lot in my career. This was another opportunity to come back and work at Top 25 School in the country it was a no-brainer for me.
DP-When you hear the expression "old school baseball", what does that phrase mean to you?
BD-I really don’t think there is such thing as old school baseball. The core of the game has not changed much over the long haul. Yes there have been a lot of other things that have changed but not the real core of the game. It will always be old school to me.
DP-What is the definition of a "student-athlete"?
BD-Student-athlete to me is someone who is willing to do what it takes to be successful on and of the field.
DP-What MLB feat in history do you wish you’d been inside the stadium to witness and why?
BD-When the Phillies won the 1980 World Series. Huge Phillies fan if you could not tell.
DP-What is your most memorable experience as a baseball coach?
BD-I have two. First is being able to be a part of a team that was the first in school history to host a regional and the two years I spent at West Point.
DP-Who has made the greatest impression on you as a baseball coach and why?
BD-Coach Gilmore, the passion and competitiveness that he brings to the field everyday showed me what it takes to be successful as a player and now as a coach.
DP-Who are the best three players you have ever coached against?
BD-Aaron Hill-LSU, Jonathan Papelbon-Miss. St, Justin Owens-Coastal Carolina
DP-What does it mean to be a good teammate and is that important?
BD-To be a good teammate is someone who shows up everyday on and off the field.
DP-What do you see as the biggest difference in high school-aged players today versus when you played?
BD-They don’t play enough. They always need a coach there to hit them fungoes or throw BP. Get a group together and just go play!
DP-Now switching gears, think back to your days as a baseball player, please list any notable accolades:
BD-College was a third team JUCO All-American, High School was All-State, Won a National Championship in Junior College.
DP-What is your greatest high school thrill?
BD-My 1993 team I played on got beaten in the state championship game we were ranked 9th in the country at one point. Good group of guys.
DP-What is your greatest thrill, or two, beyond high school?
BD-Being able to come back to Coastal and be a part of the success that Coach Gilmore and Kevin Schnall had built prior to me getting here and trying to keep Coastal going in the right direction.
DP-Who were the three best players you played against?
BD-Pat Burrell-University of Miami, JD Drew-Florida St., Billy Koch-Clemson. All first rounders felt pretty safe on that one.
DP-Who has made the greatest impression on you as a person and why?
BD-My dad. He was always there for me whenever I needed him and he always guided me in the right direction.
DP-Who is you favorite athlete outside of baseball?
BD-Phil Dalhausser– Professional Volleyball Player-MVP of the AVP tour.
DP-Who is your favorite MLB pitcher and position player and why?
BD-Huston Street- Oakland A’s, Jimmy Rollins-Philadelphia Phillies. They both come to the park ready to play day in and day out.
DP-What is your favorite sport to play other than baseball?
BD-I really don’t play any other sports if I am not at the field I am relaxing so if that is a sport then I am pretty good at it.
DP-What is your favorite sport to watch other than baseball?
BD-Football
DP-What are some of your hobbies?
BD-No hobbies.
DP-What is something people don’t know about you?
BD-I love shoes and the food network.
DP-If you could have dinner with three people in history, who would they be and why?
BD-Billy the Kid, Norman Schwarzkopf and Pete Rose
DP-Where do you see yourself in ten years?
BD-Still coaching at Coastal or possibly a Head Coach
DP-What is your opinion on the new rules that the NCAA recently adopted in regards to roster limitations, the APR and the 25% scholarship rule?
BD-I like the rule because you really have to go and watch kids play. You have to evaluate kids and go see them more than one time. It also opens doors up for kids to have a chance to play at good baseball schools when they are freshman.
DP-Tell us something about Coastal Carolina:
BD-Coastal is a special place it has a family atmosphere to it and we play a very high level of baseball.
DP-Give a high school player who is reading this article one piece of advice.
BD-Go hard everyday you never now who is going to be watching you.
DP-Thank you so much coach and good luck in 2009!