Arizona has decided to bring back Jack Murphy as an assistant coach to help fill out Sean Miller's staff. The longtime NAU coach is leaving the program to join Miller's staff as associate head coach after seven seasons with the Lumberjacks. Murphy has been part of the program before holding several different positions under Lute Olson where he built plenty of connections. He is a UA alum and someone who understands the program through and through.
"It's very exciting to welcome back Jack Murphy and his family to the University of Arizona," head coach Sean Miller said. "Jack combines invaluable head coaching experience, recruiting at the national level of college basketball, and an NBA pedigree. More importantly, Jack brings a love for Arizona Basketball and our community like no one that I have met in coaching. He is a tremendous person, a caring family man, and an outstanding coach. All of us in our program look forward to working with him as we prepare for an exciting year ahead."
Murphy will be taking over the vacant coaching spot left by Mark Phelps as the Wildcats let the former UA assistant's contract run out after his suspension that took place during the season because of an NCAA issue.
It should not be overlooked that Murphy is close with the program director of West Coast Elite, Ryan Silver, which is the travel ball program that featured numerous current Arizona players previously including Nico Mannion, Josh Green, Ira Lee, Stone Gettings and Jemarl Baker.
There have been a number of messages of support for Murphy who was around during some of UA's most successful seasons.
"It's very exciting to welcome back Jack Murphy and his family to the University of Arizona," head coach Sean Miller said. "Jack combines invaluable head coaching experience, recruiting at the national level of college basketball, and an NBA pedigree. More importantly, Jack brings a love for Arizona Basketball and our community like no one that I have met in coaching. He is a tremendous person, a caring family man, and an outstanding coach. All of us in our program look forward to working with him as we prepare for an exciting year ahead."
Murphy will be taking over the vacant coaching spot left by Mark Phelps as the Wildcats let the former UA assistant's contract run out after his suspension that took place during the season because of an NCAA issue.
It should not be overlooked that Murphy is close with the program director of West Coast Elite, Ryan Silver, which is the travel ball program that featured numerous current Arizona players previously including Nico Mannion, Josh Green, Ira Lee, Stone Gettings and Jemarl Baker.
There have been a number of messages of support for Murphy who was around during some of UA's most successful seasons.
