AJ Daugherty

Bio

Daugherty enters his second year as the Director of Athletics at Calhoun Community College, bringing with him a championship pedigree and a wealth of coaching experience across multiple levels of collegiate athletics. With a career record of 511-219 (70%) and a collegiate coaching mark of 312-112 (74%), Daugherty has built a reputation for leadership, program-building, and competitive excellence.

Since arriving at Calhoun, Daugherty has guided the most transformative period in the college’s athletics history. In October 2025, he brought Calhoun into the modern era of collegiate athletics by inking an NIL partnership with Influxer, allowing Warhawk student-athletes to benefit from their name, image, and likeness during their time at Calhoun. During the summer of 2025, he spearheaded the renovation of Kelley Gymnasium, which introduced a new student-athlete lounge, upgraded recruiting areas, an industry-leading interactive display screen, refreshed entryway graphics, new Hall of Fame and championship displays, and enhanced office spaces.

Daugherty has also overseen the addition of four new sport programs including cheer, men’s and women’s soccer, and flag football, expanding opportunities for student-athletes and positioning the Warhawks for sustained success. In partnership with Decatur Parks and Recreation, he helped revitalize the Jack Allen Soccer Complex in Decatur, which now serves as the home venue for Calhoun’s soccer and flag football programs. Under his leadership, the department has grown to nearly 250 student-athletes for the 2025–26 academic year, helping drive total enrollment to more than 10,000 students, making Calhoun the largest community college in Alabama. Calhoun’s academic success has mirrored its athletic growth, with 77 student-athletes earning NJCAA Academic All-American honors during his tenure.

Daugherty is also responsible for the creation of Talon Talk, a weekly coaches show spotlighting Calhoun Athletics. Hosted live from Moe's Original BBQ in Decatur every Monday at 11 a.m., the show highlights Warhawk teams, coaches, and student-athletes throughout the year.

Prior to arriving at Calhoun, Daugherty served as head softball coach at NCAA Division I UAB, where he was named the 2023 Conference USA Coach of the Year in his first season. He guided the Blazers to a 29-25 overall record and a 16-8 mark in league play, finishing second in the conference. Under his leadership, senior catcher Sierra Frazier was named Conference USA Player of the Year, while multiple players earned First Team All-Conference honors.

Before his time at UAB, Daugherty spent six highly successful seasons at Wallace State Community College, compiling a 260-58 record (.818). He led Wallace State to four NJCAA National Tournament appearances in five seasons and captured ACCC/NJCAA Region 22 Championships in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. His coaching staff was honored as the NJCAA National Coaching Staff of the Year in 2022 and earned NFCA South Region Coaching Staff of the Year honors in both 2021 and 2022. He was named ACCC Coach of the Year twice during his tenure.

Daugherty began his coaching career at the high school level, where he founded the softball program at James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama. There, he guided the program to its first Area and Regional Championship and a fourth-place finish at the state tournament. He also held previous coaching roles at American Christian Academy and Holy Spirit Catholic High School.

A native of Alabama, Daugherty graduated from the University of Alabama in 2008 with a degree in Secondary Education and a minor in Social Sciences. While at Alabama, he served as a student manager for the Crimson Tide softball program under legendary head coach Patrick Murphy.

He and his wife, Allison, reside in Priceville with their two children, son Connor and daughter Caroline.

Updated 10/2025