You won’t see him often, but Missy Doherty’s husband, Brian Doherty, is always there for her.
Missy Doherty has established herself as one of the most accomplished coaches in women’s collegiate lacrosse.
After completing 15 seasons at Penn State, Doherty recently announced she’s stepping down to pursue other professional opportunities.
Penn State University announced in May 2025 that she would not return as head coach, with assistant coach Steph Lazo taking over as interim head coach while a national search for Doherty’s replacement begins.
In her departure announcement, Doherty stated,
“I have enjoyed my time in Happy Valley and am so proud of all we have accomplished during my time at Penn State. I am ready for a new challenge and look forward to the future.”
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Her impressive 155-107 record with the Nittany Lions includes consecutive NCAA semifinal appearances in 2016 and 2017, marking her most notable achievements at Penn State.
The Nittany Lions finished 7-9 in her final season, falling to Johns Hopkins in the Big Ten quarterfinals.
Under her leadership, the team claimed the Big Ten Tournament Championship in 2015, the same year Doherty earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors.
Before joining Penn State in 2010, Doherty built Towson University into a nationally competitive program during her seven-year tenure there, posting a remarkable 79-46 record.
Her coaching career began as an assistant at Vanderbilt in 1998, followed by positions at Brown University and Princeton University, where she helped the Tigers secure NCAA Championships in 2002 and 2003.
Doherty’s expertise stems from her own stellar playing career.
As a four-year letter-winning defender at the University of Maryland, she contributed to three NCAA Championships while the Terrapins maintained an incredible 68-2 record during her time there, including an NCAA record 50-game winning streak.
Missy Shines While Her Husband Stays Behind The Scenes
Behind Missy Doherty’s professional success stands a supportive family that has been her foundation throughout her coaching journey.
Missy is married to Brian Doherty, who maintains a relatively private profile despite his wife’s public coaching career.
While Brian has appeared occasionally in Missy’s social media posts, he generally stays out of the spotlight.
The couple has built a loving family together and is a parent to two sons, Evan and Nathan.
Though information about Brian’s profession remains scarce in public records, it’s clear from Missy’s social media that family plays a central role in her life.
In August 2022, she shared photos featuring her “crew” of four, expressing her deep affection for her family with the caption, “Love this crew!!!“
Missy has also proudly shared her sons’ milestones on social media.
In August 2021, she posted a picture of Evan and Nathan on their first day of school, affectionately referring to them as “these two studs.”
The glimpses into her family life reveal a tight-knit unit that has supported her throughout her demanding coaching career.
While maintaining her professional excellence in the lacrosse field, Doherty has successfully balanced her career with family life.
Her ability to excel in a competitive coaching environment while raising two sons speaks to her exceptional time management skills and the strong support system she has at home.
As Missy Doherty now looks ahead to new professional challenges beyond Penn State, she does so with the continued support of Brian and their sons.
Though her next move remains to be seen, the solid foundation of her family will undoubtedly continue to be a source of strength as she embarks on the next chapter of her career.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Missy Doherty earned a master’s degree in biology from Towson University in 2010.
- During her tenure at Penn State, she coached 62 all-conference selections, 23 All-Americans, and 109 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars.
- As a student-athlete at the University of Maryland, Missy (then Holmes) was a three-time honoree on the ACC Academic Honor Roll, demonstrating her academic and athletic excellence.
