Emporia State head men’s basketball coach Craig Doty has announced his resignation in order to become the head coach at Houston Christian. Doty departs Emporia State with a 97-76 record in six years at the school and a 65-61 record in MIAA play. Under Doty’s leadership, the Hornets finished with four consecutive seasons at .500 or better in MIAA play for the first time in program history. The Hornets finished 19-12 last year while overcoming a combined 70 missed games due to illness or injury. In 2022-23, he led the Hornets to the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win and an NCAA Division II program record 23 victories. After starting 35-46 over his first three years in Emporia, his teams amassed a 62-30 record over his last three seasons. Doty will take over a Huskies program that finished 6-23 last year with a 4-14 record in the Southland Conference. He replaces Ron Cottrell whose contract was not renewed after his 33rd season with HCU. Doty will be introduced at a press conference there on Monday. ESU athletic director David Spafford announced that a national search to replace Doty will begin immediately. Doty talked about the decision to leave this offseason.
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He said it was bittersweet that ESU was the first job that he departed without a national title.
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Doty said that he couldn’t thank Emporia enough for its support of his program and family.
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ESU assistant coach Evan Lavery will join Doty at HCU. Doty said all other staff announcements will be made at a later time.
Edit: Updated with comments from Doty and Lavery’s move.
