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Sabers bring in Dougherty as new head football coach

Former Seabury AD returns to football roots at Maui High

Robert Dougherty speaks during a press conference Monday announcing his hiring as head football coach at Maui High School. The Maui News / ROBERT COLLIAS photo

KAHULUI -- Robert Dougherty officially returned to his football roots on Monday. The former Seabury Hall athletic director was introduced as the new head coach for Maui High School. He will also join the MHS staff as a physical education teacher. The former quarterback at Boston University, head coach for a decade at three different high schools in California and head coach at College of the Sequoias had a smile on his face as he sat between MHS principal Jamie Yap and athletic director Mike Ban at Shine Matsui Athletic Center. After finishing at B.U. in 1995, Dougherty played professionally in the Canadian Football League for the Ottawa Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts during the 1995 season. He also played for the Barcelona Dragons on a World Bowl championship team in 1997 in NFL Europe. "I'd just like to say I'm honored and proud to join the long tradition here at Maui High of excellence," Dougherty said. Dougherty served as Seabury Hall athletic director from 2013 to this year. He is currently suing the school for wrongful termination. Dougherty is the eighth head coach for the Sabers since Curtis Lee retired following a distinguished 21-year career as MHS head coach in 2004. Rodney Figueroa was let go after an 0-8 record in Maui Interscholastic League play this season. "I had the pleasure of having some conversations with Curtis Lee, who is the most famous coach ever at Maui High," Dougherty said. "I'm really impressed with his affinity for the school and what he believes Maui High can be going forward. I believe the same thing. I think that this is a tremendous opportunity here and I'm looking forward to being part of the Saber family." Lee was in attendance at the press conference and liked what he saw. He was also a member of the selection committee that chose Dougherty from a list a 10-15 applicants that was trimmed down to three finalists, which included Donald Mahoe, the team's offensive coordinator in 2019. Lee said he is available to help as a consultant any time Dougherty needs him. "As years pass by, my greatest regret -- I get all these accolades and praises and everything -- but one thing I didn't do was leave this program the way I should have," Lee said. "I could have mentored somebody. I didn't do that. I cannot change that anymore. ... As I've grown a little bit older, I've mellowed out a little bit where whatever I can do, maybe I can help, and if I can that's what I have got to do." Dougherty said his experience will help him relate to Maui High student-athletes. He was head coach at Mount Whitney High School in Visalia, Calif., from 2005 to 2009, Exeter (Calif.) High in 2003 and 2004, and at Corcoran (Calif.) High from 2000 to 2002. "They need love. They need somebody to believe in them. That's what I think resonates with any kid," he said. Yap said he was pleased with the process that landed Dougherty. "Based on his background, he brings a wealth of knowledge in coaching, administration, former athletic director, and what really sold me is his desire to help youth," Yap said. "And he's a real family man -- family comes first. He fit all the criteria we were looking for." Ban echoed those sentiments. "We're very happy, we're very excited of this new opportunity," Ban said. "We think Coach Dougherty is a great candidate, great coach. He's an educator, family man, he comes with a vast amount of experience. And I think the kids will be happy that we have a guy that wants to build relationships." * Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com. [gallery ids="754791"]

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