Coach Spotlight: Erin Doughty, Head Coach at Marist College

Happy Australian Open Week! I’ve got a riddle for you to announce today’s guest.

Who successfully transitioned from player to coach during their senior year in college, has music MIA from their ears, can be spotted in Jordan 1 Low Tops on the sidelines, and snagged their first win as a rookie Head Coach this year?

…..

If you guessed Marist Head Coach Erin Doughty you’re correct! We’ve got a fun story for you today.

👋 Scottie

TODAY’S STORY
💥MEET ERIN DOUGHTY: HEAD COACH AT MARIST

Meet Erin: Player Turned Coach

I’m pumped to introduce you to the Head Coach at Marist College, Erin Doughty!

Erin’s journey into coaching is quite the anomaly.

Picture this:

It's one of your first practices of your senior year, and your coach summons you to meet in his office after practice.

Why? You don’t know

After practice wraps, you get your answer: You’ve just been summoned to join the Marist coaching staff.

Even though we are currently witnessing some abnormal situations in WBB today, could you fathom the emotions that come with being asked to become a coach during your senior year?

❓️ I’m curious. If you’re a coach of any sport: Do you CURRENTLY have a player on your roster today who you’d consider asking to step into a coaching role just as the season is about to kick off?

Back to the star of our show today: Coach Erin Doughty 

Erin spent three years playing basketball at Marist, and her fourth year saw her transition to the coaching staff. Though it came as a surprise, this twist of fate eventually led her to become the Head Coach at her alma mater, with her inaugural season happening right now!

When Erin was on the coaching staff during her senior year, she lived with three players (or former teammates if you will), one of whom just happened to be the MAC player of the year. The daily routine consisted of going to practice, staff meetings, and returning back home to your direct reports. Sounds like a mind-bending time.

As a walk-on player, Erin had always carried the mindset of doing whatever the team needed from her. So, even though she couldn't help but feel a bit of disappointment knowing she'd be missing out on those "senior year lasts," Erin soon adopted the mentality that only a future Head Coach could have. She understood that her role, from the very beginning, was to do whatever was necessary for the team. And in that pivotal moment, what the team needed most was for her to step into the coaching ranks.

Did Geno Auriemma’s Daughter Save The Day?

Now that you know the back story, Erin’s initial plans didn’t actually include becoming a college Head Coach. The initial blueprint involved becoming a mother, coaching at her high school, and becoming a guidance counselor. Hailing from Connecticut, home of the UConn Huskies, the notion of becoming a college Head Coach hadn’t even crossed Erin’s thoughts at the time.

But then, she spoke with Geno Auriemma’s daughter (💪FLEX), who grew up in a similar situation to what awaited Erin and her kids. Of course a couple of moments are missed here and there, but nothing beats growing up on a college campus.

[Not to make this about me, but I can confirm growing up on a college campus is superior to whatever the alternative is]

Fast forward to today, and Erin’s son, Chase, now has his buddies on the Men’s Lacrosse team, Women’s Basketball team, and even has handshakes with some of the players on campus.

It’s Lonely At The Top

Now that Erin has ascended to the top spot, one aspect that’s gone through a shift, is the transition from Assistant Coach to Head Coach, and the emotional toll it takes.

Being a Head Coach can be a solitary role, and Erin has come to realize this firsthand during this current season.

As an assistant, you find yourself surrounded by a chorus of voices, opinions, and questions, creating a constant flow of communication. However, when you step into the shoes of the Head Coach, maintaining that same level of interaction becomes a bit more challenging.

For Erin, the emotional weight of the games has increased significantly as a Head Coach compared to her previous role. It's as if she's viewing them from an entirely different vantage point. The responsibility of ensuring the team's success, coupled with the well-being of both the players and the staff, brings with it an added layer of trust and accountability.

Personally, I’d crack. Shout out to all the coaches out there.

What’s So Special About Marist?

Erin often leans on the wise words of the late, great Pat Summitt, whose thesis as a Head Coach serves as the guiding principle for her coaching philosophy: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care."

In Erin’s words, “I don’t think any of your players care about how much basketball you know unless it comes from a place of caring. This generation really cherishes a relationship with their coach. You have to establish this caring relationship seeing them as a whole person versus a basketball player before you can say hard things to them about their performance. A player means more to us at Marist than a player on a basketball court.”

Coaching at your alma mater is a unique experience that offers a perspective not everyone gets to witness. Staying dedicated to a program for an extended period also speaks volumes about your commitment. This trend of college-athlete turned Head Coach is also catching headlines recently with the Field Hockey Head Coach at UNC, Erin Matson and Basketball Head Coach at Oglethorpe, Alex Richey. They’re all winning too 👀 

Q & A with Erin

Favorite books: (1) “Leading With The Heart” by Coach K, (2) “The Same River Twice” by John Walters, and (3) and anything related to John Wooden including the infamous Pyramid of Success

Mount Rushmore of players: Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, and Sue Bird (Did we mention Erin grew up in Connecticut?)

If you weren’t coaching, what would be your job: Guidance counselor or teacher

Shoe of choice: Often spotted in Jordan 1 Low Tops (Thanks to the Marist Assistant Coaches)

Favorite song: Kidz Bop. Unfortunately, Erin does not recall the last time she listened to music…

Pre-game ritual: Kicks off the day with a morning workout, reviews the scout, player personnel, and offensive plays, followed with writing on the whiteboard before watching shoot-around

Sideline demeanor: More like a Courtney Banghart (Head Coach at UNC) ~calm~

Ultimate goal for players at Marist: Prepare them for whatever comes next, whether that’s in the corporate world, pursuing a professional basketball career, or continuing their education journey.

Final Thoughts

One of my favorite Erin anecdotes dates back to October 2015. She found herself in her very first coaches meeting, during what would have been her senior year in college. As Brian Giorgis, the Head Coach at Marist at the time, would later recall, he had anticipated Erin would quietly observe and listen to what everyone else was discussing. However, Erin surprised everyone by chipping in with her input without hesitation.

As Erin would describe her journey from player to coach, “It was baptism by fire”.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is your Head Coach at Marist. 👏 

Now that you are all fully immersed in the world of Erin Doughty and Marist Women’s Basketball, make sure to watch their upcoming game against Fairfield at 4:00 PM EST on ESPN+

Go Foxes! 🦊 

NEWS
👂️This Week’s Locker Room Drama

What’s been going on in the world of women’s college basketball recently? We’ve got you covered.

• Caitlin Clark copies Frosted Flakes with new NIL deal in partnership with Hy-Vee (Hy-Vee)

• Lauren Park from Mississippi State believes Geno Auriemma threw shade at her during a post conference (X)

• 3 more players tear their ACL in the past 7 days. (TCU, UConn, Iowa State)

• Angel Reese has been spotted inside of a Dicks (X)

• TCU needs NARP’s to join their team for the rest of the season (X)