WKU announced Thursday that former Coastal Carolina assistant Brendan Dougherty will join Head Coach Myers’ staff for the 2012 season.

According to a release from WKU, Dougherty will work with the infielders and handle the team defense.

“The Hilltoppers are headed in the direction you want to be going and everyone’s ultimate goal is to get to Omaha,” Dougherty said in the release. “When I walked on campus and saw everything, it was clear this was just a great opportunity for myself and my family.”

Dougherty was part of five straight trips to the NCAA Tournament with the Chanticleers, including Super Regional berths in 2008 and 2010.

Prior to his tenure at Coastal Carolina, he worked on coaching staffs at Army, Auburn and Elon.

Dougherty played at Potomac State Junior College, where he was a third team All-American in 1994.

Dougherty was on the same staff at Auburn with former WKU coach Chris Finwood in 2003.

He led Potomac State to a championship the following year.

He then played two seasons at Coastal Carolina (1996-1997,) posting a .287 career batting average.

“There is no question his professional past will contribute right away at our program, coming from such a strong program at Coastal Carolina,” Myers said. “He and (assistant coach) Blake (Allen) will do a great job together with our offense and our recruiting efforts.”

Myers is entering his first season as Topper head coach. He served as pitching coach under Finwood, who departed WKU in June for the head coaching position at Old Dominion.