FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – William and Mary Athletics Director Terry Driscoll announced the promotion of Brian Murphy to head coach of the Tribe baseball program on Tuesday.
Murphy takes over after the resignation of Jamie Pinzino, who was named the pitching coaching at the University of Oklahoma. Murphy spent last season as W&M’s top assistant and recruiting coordinator for the Tribe, serving as the Green and Gold’s hitting coach.
“In Brian Murphy, we have a rising young coaching talent to lead the program,” said Driscoll. “Brian’s list of accomplishments over the last 11 years speak for themselves, most especially what he has achieved in his time at William and Mary. I am excited to see him continue to move the program forward.”
The Easton, Mass., native has seen success at every level of collegiate baseball, as he has coached in Division I, II and III NCAA baseball tournaments during his career.
Last season, Murphy played a major role in leading the Tribe to its best season in school history. The Green and Gold won a school-record 39 games, earned the program’s first at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, and won games at the tournament for the first time in advancing to the regional final. At season’s end, William and Mary was ranked No. 28 in the nation by Collegiate Baseball, the Green and Gold’s first year-end ranking. Offensively, W&M finished with a combined .290 batting average, 110 doubles, six triples, and 17 home runs.
“I am very excited to get the opportunity to continue to build upon the positive momentum surrounding Tribe baseball,” stated Murphy. “I am very thankful to Terry Driscoll and the administration for presenting me with opportunity to continue to work with our student-athletes. Our staff is very excited for the upcoming season and eager to get to work. Lastly, I am very thankful to have had the chance to work with Jamie Pinzino again and wish him tremendous success at Oklahoma.”
Murphy first move as head coach will be to elevate current Tribe pitching coach Brian Casey to the top assistant position and name him as the program’s recruiting coordinator.
Prior to his time with William and Mary, Murphy spent three seasons at Brown University, serving as the program’s hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. During his tenure with the Bears, he helped mentor 10 players to All-Ivy League selections.
He served three seasons as an assistant coach under Pinzino at Bryant University from 2006-09, where he was the recruiting coordinator and hitting coach. Murphy’s on-field responsibilities at Bryant included overseeing the catchers, outfielders and batting. In 2008, he helped guide the Bulldogs to the Northeast-10 Championship. His tenure at Bryant was highlighted by 132 victories, two NCAA Tournament Regional final appearances and a school-record 42 wins in 2008. At the plate, Bryant improved every season in batting average and runs per game under Murphy’s tutelage.
His first coaching job came at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., as an assistant coach where he oversaw the Lyons’ hitting approach and catchers. Wheaton captured two New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) titles and made it all the way to the 2005 NCAA New England Regional finals during Murphy’s two seasons.
He also gained experience coaching in the collegiate summer league circuit. Murphy served as the hitting coach for the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod league and was the head coach of the Battle Creek Bombers of the Northwoods League.
Murphy played collegiately at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass., where he was the team captain in 2003. He earned a degree in business management from Merrimack in 2003, and went on to receive a master’s degree in sports management from California University of Pennsylvania in 2009.
Murphy resides in Williamsburg with his wife, Karen, and son, Connor (2).
