[2] Doehling began his coaching career in 1922 when he was offered a position at Central High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

His success in the high school ranks, made him an attractive candidate to Ripon officials and in 1924 he was offered him the position as athletic director and head football coach.

One of Doehling's grandest victories came when his 1928 squad, a heavy underdog, defeated the powerhouse University of Chicago, 12–0.

This was Ripon’s first ever victory against a Big Ten Conference opponent, and reportedly spread the Redmen name across the country.

In 1988, to commemorate the 25 years of rivalry between Doehling and Bernie Heselton, coach of Lawrence University from 1938 to 1964, the two schools instituted the Doehling–Heselton Memorial Trophy.