Georgetown University Athletics

Recruiting Areas
National: South Florida, New England

Kevin Doherty was named Georgetown’s defensive coordinator in January 2017 after serving as the special teams coordinator from 2012-16.

In 2023, the GU defense ranked first in the league in interceptions (10), touchdowns (35) and allowed the least amount of offensive yards (3,565).  Five members of the defense were named to All-Patriot League teams, including a first team honor for Mateen Ibiroga.

In 2022, Doherty helped three Hoyas earn All-Patriot League honors in Ibrahim Kamara (2nd Team), Justin Fonteneaux (2nd Team) and 2022 FCS Jerry Rice Award Finalist Wedner Cadet (2nd Team).

In 2021, he helped three Hoyas to All-Patriot League honors in CoSIDA All-American Ahmad Wilson (1st Team) as well as co-sack leaders Ibrahim Kamara (2nd Team) and Owen Kessler (2nd Team).

Doherty led one of the best defenses in the country in 2019, ranking among the top 10 nationally in several categories. The Hoyas ranked fourth in the country in scoring defense, fourth in pass efficiency defense, fifth in red zone defense, sixth in first down defense and seventh in total defense. During Georgetown’s four-game winning streak, the GU’s defense did not allow more than 10 points in a game. Four members of the defense were named to All-Patriot League teams, including first team nods for Duval Paul and Ahmad Wilson.

In 2018, the Hoyas boasted one of the best defenses in the entire country. Georgetown led the Patriot League with 34 sacks and 20 interceptions, and ranked second in scoring defense (21.1 ppg), total defense (298.0 ypg) and rushing defense (103.2 ypg). Nationally, the Blue & Gray was among the top 20 in interceptions (2nd), pass efficiency defense (2nd), turnovers gained (6th), rushing defense (10th), total defense (12th), sacks (10th) and scoring defense (18th). Five members of the defense were named to postseason All-Patriot League teams.

Doherty led one of the best special teams units in the country in 2016. The Hoyas tied for the national lead with eight blocked kicks, while Hunter Kiselick led all players in FCS with four blocked kicks -- all on field goals. Henry Darmstadter was named to the All-Patriot League Second Team after finishing a perfect 19-of-19 on PAT attempts and tying for the conference lead with 11 made field goals. He also set the Georgetown record with 27 career field goals. Harry McCollum was also named to the second team after setting GU single-season records with 86 total punts and 3,575 yards punting, becoming the first Hoya to surpass 3,000 punt yards in a season. His 41.6 yards per punt average ranks second in Georgetown history.

In 2015, Doherty helped guide Darmstadter to Second Team All-Patriot League honors. Additionally, Isaac Ellsworth posted the second best kick return average in GU history (22.9 yards/return). In 2014, McCollum set the single-season mark in program history, averaging 42.7 yards/punt. The Hoyas ranked third in the Patriot League in pass defense (215.7 yards/gm) in 2012.

In the defensive backfield, Doherty guided safety Jethro Francois to a strong freshman season, as he earned STATS Division I FCS National Rookie of the Week for his performance at Bucknell, also his first career start.

In 2014, Doherty worked a group of safeties that combined for five interceptions. He also guided Harry McCollum to a strong season as the sophomore averaged 42.7 yards/punt, the single-season mark in program history.

During his time on the Hilltop, Doherty helped guide the Hoyas to third in the Patriot League in pass defense (215.7 yards/gm) in 2012, despite losing three starters in the secondary from the previous season. Under Doherty's tutelage, Jeremy Moore set a career high with five interceptions, while breaking the program's career record for interception return yardage (318 yards). Punt Returner Kevin Macari, was second in the PL in punt return average (11.5).

In addition to his work on the field, Doherty has also helped the football program forge strong relationships in the community. In 2014, he organized the team's adoption of Elijah Davis and Jackson Dundon through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. The Hoyas added Willie Hughes to the football family in 2016.

Doherty brings 25 years of college coaching experience, last serving as the Assistant Head Coach and defensive backfield coach at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.

From 2001-09, Doherty coached at Harvard University, helping the Crimson win Ivy League championships in 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2008. He was the defensive backfield coach in 2001 before becoming co-defensive coordinator in 2002 when he was named the All American Football Foundation Assistant Coach of the Year. In 2003, he was named assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. As defensive coordinator, Harvard's rushing and scoring defense both ranked in the top 10 nationally four different times, reaching as high as second in 2006 and 2004, respectively. The Crimson's pass efficiency defense led the nation in 2007.

Prior to Harvard, Doherty spent two seasons at University of Connecticut as the defensive backfield coach, earning his first Assistant Coach of the Year honor from the All American Football Foundation.

Doherty spent one season as the Head Coach at St. Francis (Pa.) after a successful six-year run as the defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator at Marist College. In 1997, the Red Foxes led the nation in total defense, allowing 213 yards per game, while setting NCAA records, allowing 39.8 rushing yards per game and 1.24 yards per carry, while allowing just three rushing touchdowns in 1997. Doherty also helped guide the team to a 2004 MAAC Championship.

From 1989-1992, Doherty was the defensive backfield coach and special teams coordinator at Tufts University in Medford, Mass. He also spent the spring of 1989 coaching outside linebackers at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass.

Doherty began his coaching career at Syracuse University under Dick MacPherson from 1987-1989 as a Graduate Assistant Football Coach. In 1987 he helped the Orange to a Sugar Bowl Championship and a 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl Championship.

Doherty earned his Bachelors of Arts from Tufts University in 1987 and obtained his Masters of Science from Syracuse University in 1989.

He lives with his wife, Sue and has three children, son Kevin, Jr., daughters Katherine and Claire and three stepchildren Abagail, Emmanuel and Annie.