Doherty Steps Aside for Spring Track

The Pearl River Board of Education approved the appointment of the district's spring sports coaches Tuesday night.

Dan Doherty was not on the list.

Doherty, who is in his 34th year coaching girls cross country and track and field at Pearl River High School, decided to step aside as the head coach for the outdoor season. 

This is the second time Doherty has left as the school's coach for outdoor track. He stopped in 2006, then came back for the last two seasons. He has coached cross country all 34 years and indoor track all but one of those seasons. Doherty, who retired from teaching after the 2010-11 school year, said he had not decided if he will return for cross country in the fall.

"I realized I can't be around forever," Doherty said. "We have to work with some new poeple."

Liam McGuirk will take over as the head coach for the Pearl River girls this outdoor season. 

"Liam and I worked together before, but he got a job with Port Chester Schools and had to stop coaching," Doherty said. "He retired from teaching last June, too. Now he has the time. He spent the winter as a volunteer coach at Pearl River. He probably spent more time on it than anybody."

Doherty said he plans to be with the team as a volunteer assistant coach this spring. 

Doherty coached the Pearl River girls to their 33rd consecutive section cross country championship this past fall.  They won the 26th indoor track and field title of Doherty's tenure Feb. 15. Pearl River has won 25 consecutive girls outdoor track and field section titles.