NEW ERA
Coaching change promotes diversity
When University of Kansas assistant coach Neil Dougherty, 40, was introduced as Billy Tubbs’ replacement as men’s basketball coach Monday, he ushered in a new era, not only for the basketball team, but also for minority coaches at TCU.

The hiring of Dougherty nets TCU a talented coach and a proven recruiter who has helped bring some of the most talented basketball players from the Dallas/Fort Worth area to play at national powerhouse Kansas. During his seven years at Kansas, the team has signed eight McDonald’s All-Americans.

For the TCU program that has been stagnant the past few years the coaching change is needed. TCU also is able to hire a person who fits the administrations creed to promote diversity.

Dougherty is not the first minority head coach at TCU. From 1993-96 Shell Robinson led the women’s basketball team. Robinson was the first and for nine years the only minority head coach in school history, but her hire seems not to have changed the diversity among coaching staffs here.

According to Athletic Media Relations, TCU currently has four assistant coaches who are minorities out of about 40 total coaches in all sports.

Dougherty’s hiring will likely bring a much needed change. Traditionally white coaches predominately hire white coaches and minorities often hire minorities. All of the coaches on Tubbs coaching staff this past season are white. Dougherty has had the opportunity to work with some of the top collegiate coaches as an assistant: Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski and Eddie Fogler.

When all is said and done, TCU’s new coaching hire will be a step towards improving overall campus diversity.

credits

TCU Daily Skiff © 2002