Former William Paterson team captain and starting linebacker Donald Dougherty has returned to his alma mater to work with the Pioneer bandits during the 2010 season. He also is responsible for the Pioneers’ recruiting efforts in Cape May and Warren Counties, as well as a portion of Bergen (Hasbrouck Heights, Indian Hills), Essex (Belleville, Central, Barringer, Cedar Grove, Columbia, West Orange, Clifford Scott, Weequaic) and Passaic (West Milford, Pompton Lakes) Counties.
Dougherty played in 31 games as a four-year Pioneer (2003-06), making 131 total tackles (11.0 for loss, 3.0 sacks) and breaking up five passes while recovering a fumble.
Currently a physical education and health teacher at Macopin Middle School in West Milford, N.J., Dougherty began his coaching career while still a WP student, working as the strength and conditioning coach at Newark Academy (2004-09) and eventually becoming the school’s football defensive coordinator. The Pompton Lakes native served at his former high school as the co-head freshman coach and junior varsity coach, as well as an assistant with the varsity program, during the 2009 football season, and he worked with the West Milford High School baseball program from 2008-10.
A senior counselor at the Pompton Lakes Summer Camp since 1998, Dougherty was a volunteer baseball and football coach with the Pompton Lakes/Riverdale Youth Organization from 2001-04.
A Dean’s List student and a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) All-Academic Team, Dougherty is a 2008 summa cum laude William Paterson graduate with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.