July 2, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State Director of Athletics Tim Curley has announced the hiring of Missy Doherty, formerly of Towson University, as head coach of the Nittany Lion women's lacrosse program. Doherty, who has won five national championships as a player and coach, will serve as the ninth head coach in program history.
"Missy is a rising star in collegiate women's lacrosse and Penn State is fortunate to be able to bring her to Happy Valley to lead our program," said Curley. "Missy has experienced success and is a proven winner as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. Her leadership and vision will positively impact our players. I am pleased and proud to welcome Missy to the Penn State family."
"I'm extremely excited to be the next head women's lacrosse coach at Penn State University," said Doherty. "I want to thank Tim Curley and Sue Scheetz for the opportunity they have provided, and I'm looking forward to being a part of a program that is so rich in lacrosse tradition."
In her seven-year stint as head coach at Towson, Doherty developed the Tigers into one of the top teams in the Colonial Athletic Association and into a nationally recognized and competitive program. At Towson, she posted an impressive 79-46 (.632) record, including five seasons with 13 or more victories, and led it to three CAA Tournament championships (2005, 2008-09) and a share of one CAA regular season title (2008). Doherty coached six All-Americans during her tenure, including Towson's first three-time honoree in program history.
In 2010, Doherty guided Towson to a season of unprecedented success, as the Tigers earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history and received their first-ever top 10 national ranking in the IWLCA Division I poll.
Prior to arriving at Towson, Doherty had a successful six-year stretch as an assistant coach at three different schools. At Princeton University, she was an integral member of the coaching staff that led the Tigers to NCAA championships in 2002 and 2003. During Doherty's tenure, Princeton compiled a 49-9 record and captured three straight Ivy League crowns.
Doherty also served two seasons at Brown University (1999-2000) after starting her coaching career at Vanderbilt in 1998.
A 1997 graduate of the University of Maryland, Doherty was a four-year letterwinning defender, helping the Terrapins claim three NCAA championships. Maryland was a dominant force in collegiate women's lacrosse during her career, amassing a remarkable 68-2 record, including an NCAA record 50-game winning streak. Also a standout in the classroom, Doherty was a three-time honoree on the ACC Academic Honor Roll.
The former Missy Holmes, she is married to Brian Doherty. The couple has two sons, two-year old Evan, and Nathan, born on June 18.
In 2011, Penn State will return 21 letterwinners, eight starters, and 76 percent of its offense from a 2010 squad that won 10 games, defeated three ranked opponents, and advanced to the semifinals of the ALC Championship.