UCLA Football Hires Jimmy Dougherty to Coach Wide Receivers

UCLA football head coach Jim Mora hired current Oregon wide receivers coach Jimmie Dougherty to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Eric Yarber. Dougherty held the same position at Oregon for a little less than two months. He will also serve as the passing game coordinator.

Dougherty has connections all over college football. He had worked directly with Jedd Fisch at Michigan where he served as an offensive analyst. Dougherty’s connection goes way back with Jim Harbaugh, when he served on the Harbaugh staff from 2004-06 with the San Diego Toreros. Following Harbaugh’s departure from USD, he served in a variety of roles for the Toreros until 2008. He coached quarterbacks (2006-07), and he was the offensive coordinator in his final season at San Diego. Dougherty joined the Washington Huskies' as their receivers coach from 2009-12. From 2013-15, Dougherty was an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at San Jose State where he oversaw receivers and the passing game.

During his first season at San Jose State, the Spartans finished sixth in the FBS in passing offense and 15th in total offense. San Jose State’s offense set more than 45 team and individual school records combined that season.

There is only one caveat in this hire. You may have heard that David Reaves, the Oregon co-offensive coordinator, tight ends coach and passing game coordinator, was arrested for a DUI in December and subsequently fired. As it happens, Dougherty was a passenger in the car but was not charged with a crime. This incident doesn’t appear to have affected his hiring by UCLA.

I have to say I like the coaching tree. I like the fact that he has a connection with Fisch and establishing a good relationship with the offensive coordinator is clearly important for a receivers coach. His experience at Michigan and Washington should serve him well. He is leaving Oregon rather quickly, but, due to the circumstances surrounding Reaves, I’m not surprised.

Go Bruins!