Norwood Names Coach-July 8, 1971

The Norwood High School athletic department officially announced a significant leadership change for its football program on July 8, 1971.

(Photo credit: Danny Kennedy, Dignity Memorial)

The Norwood High School athletic department officially announced a significant leadership change for its football program on July 8, 1971. John Doherty, an experienced educator and coach previously serving at Shelton High School in Connecticut, has been selected to replace outgoing varsity football coach Art Gulla. Mr. Doherty, who is also an English teacher, brings a wealth of experience in both the classroom and on the field, with his appointment marking a new chapter for the Mustangs football program. He is scheduled to assume his full responsibilities at Norwood High School beginning in September 1971.

Mr. Doherty is a 1956 graduate of Boston College, where he gained valuable experience playing football under the guidance of Mike Holovak, who later became well-known as the head coach of the Boston Patriots. Following his graduation, Doherty served a two-year stint in the United States Army before embarking on his teaching and coaching career. His professional journey includes several notable tenures throughout the region. He first taught and coached at Fairfield Preparatory School in Fairfield, Connecticut. In 1959, he returned to Massachusetts to serve as a teacher and coach at Millis High School.

His coaching pedigree expanded during the 1960s, a period marked by several roles within high school football programs. From 1960 to 1963, Doherty worked as an assistant coach and teacher at Beverly High School. Following his time in Beverly, he accepted a similar position at Catholic Memorial, where he remained until 1966. In that year, he transitioned to the position at Shelton High School in Connecticut, a role he held until his recent acceptance of the varsity head coaching position in Norwood. The selection of Mr. Doherty highlights the school’s commitment to finding a leader with both academic credentials and a strong background in competitive football programs within the Commonwealth and beyond.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger