Murphy rounds out coaching staff
By: Joseph Russell
Issue date: 6/18/09 Section: Sports
Tigers basketball coach Josh Pastner finally filled out his coaching staff when he hired Jack Murphy, an advance scout for the NBA's Denver Nuggets for the past three years, to an assistant coach position two weeks ago.
"Jack will bring a lot of energy to the Memphis program," said Pastner. Many already speculated he would hire Murphy for weeks leading up to the hiring. "He's done a great job during his time in Denver, and the Nuggets' players talk highly of the intense workouts he puts them through and how well those workouts prepare them for games."
His workouts for the Nuggets have received rave reviews from players, including NBA All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Chauncy Billups.
Denver won a franchise-record 54 games, won a share of the NBA Northwest Division title and earned a No. 2 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. From there, they advanced to the Conference finals for the first time since 1985.
Before his stint in the NBA, Murphy spent eight years as a team manager, recruiting coordinator, administrative assistant and video coordinator at the University of Arizona from 1998-2006.
"I also worked with Jack while we were at Arizona, and that familiarity will help as the program moves forward," Pastner added.
"Jack will bring a lot of energy to the Memphis program," said Pastner. Many already speculated he would hire Murphy for weeks leading up to the hiring. "He's done a great job during his time in Denver, and the Nuggets' players talk highly of the intense workouts he puts them through and how well those workouts prepare them for games."
His workouts for the Nuggets have received rave reviews from players, including NBA All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Chauncy Billups.
Denver won a franchise-record 54 games, won a share of the NBA Northwest Division title and earned a No. 2 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. From there, they advanced to the Conference finals for the first time since 1985.
Before his stint in the NBA, Murphy spent eight years as a team manager, recruiting coordinator, administrative assistant and video coordinator at the University of Arizona from 1998-2006.
"I also worked with Jack while we were at Arizona, and that familiarity will help as the program moves forward," Pastner added.