Preston Murphy Joins BC staff as Assistant Coach

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Spook5365 wrote:OK lets do that.

We can cross off the highly rated Michigan kids on the recruitment thread, and probably the New England ones too....better start getting some Jersey kids.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

bigappleram wrote:guaranteed multi-year contract, 2x his current salary....cant be mad at that.

Assistants are only one year contracts at URI, right? What approximately would he be making per year at BC (I am not knowledgebale on what his salary was at URI)?

A very big blow for the 2nd straight year. Both similar to the Skerry loss a few years ago. We have lost our three best staff recruiters in the last seven years. We saw the drop off with Skerry and what appeared to be issues with Bobby leaving this past year. Murphy's departure will be just as bad. Losses like these impact the program for years. Baron never recovered from losing Skerry. The jury is still out on Dan after losing Bobby but it is worth noting that recruiting in year 2 was not as good as in year 1 when Bobby was here.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Preston was very close with Expressions, too. He was on Terrell
for a long time.
Maybe this helps explain the BABC-Leo Papile interest that seems to be
developing?

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

That's why I said New England too. Murray is supposed to be the one with New England ties, yet it was Preston who seemed to be involved with them.

Taylor Swift · Unread post by **Taylor Swift** » 10 years ago

Well, this definitely makes me sad. Great guy and he'll surely be missed, BUT I think if any of us were offered double our salary we'd take it, too. I know I would

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 10 years ago

Preston is as much of a URI guy as we could possibly have. Tough blow.

He has come back before. Maybe he will get the big seat down the road.

Hope we get a stud to replace him. Won't mind a vet coach with recruiting ties that doesn't want the #1 spot.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Great, now I have Bill Koch, trying to ingratiate himself with remaining staff
by saying Carr brought in Watson, and the transfers Hurley brought in.
Guess what? Preston told me HE was bringing Watson in, and to keep it quiet.
Watch for this sort of revisionist baloney, when Preston leaves, trying to
downplay what he did here.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

So, reports were out that URI was trying to retain him. I wonder what they offered?

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Free burgers at The Mews.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

1. This is not a demotion. If you make more money in the same industry, you weren't demoted.

2. Yes this obviously hurts, just like losing Bobby last year hurt. These are talented guys that brought unique things to the table for us. However, I think there is a danger in overstating how big of a blow it is. This is something that happens all the time to many programs. Unless you are the head coach at one of the top 5 or so programs in the country there is always another rung on the ladder. Coaches are transitory, and other programs overcome this stuff. The key to overcoming a loss like this is making a good hire. Have to see it as an opportunity.

3. This isn't goodbye, it is "until next time." I believe URI hasn't seen the last of Preston Murphy. The prodigal son can always come home.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

If they can't pay Preston enough to stay at a place he loves, how can they get a top notch assistant to agree to come here from the outside?

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Well, Luke Murray replaced Bobby Hurley. How's that working
out so far?
Who replaced Skerry when he left? Some Serbian guy?
You have to realize how driven Preston was in his job.
He literally has been coast to coast trying to find players,
and in 2014, the ONLY one getting results.
I'm am in no way confident that URI can remotely replace probably the best
recruiting assistant we've ever had.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

Done deal?

HoopDreamsMag.com ‏@HoopDreamsmag · 4m
Boston College coach Jim Christian had added URI asst Preston Murphy, along with Scott Spinelli (MD). Wow two pit-bulls on the same staff

BFC · Unread post by **BFC** » 10 years ago

Is everyone really just figuring out that ACC assistant coaches are paid more and people like making more money?

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 10 years ago

I'm not sure why we didn't think of this when Christian was hired.

RoadyJay · Unread post by **RoadyJay** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Well, Luke Murray replaced Bobby Hurley. How's that working
out so far?
Who replaced Skerry when he left? Some Serbian guy?
You have to realize how driven Preston was in his job.
He literally has been coast to coast trying to find players,
and in 2014, the ONLY one getting results.
I'm am in no way confident that URI can remotely replace probably the best
recruiting assistant we've ever had.

As I understand it, since Luke came in last year he has not focused on the '14 recruits. More so the later classes '15, '16, etc. Too early to judge Luke.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

TruePoint wrote:1. This is not a demotion. If you make more money in the same industry, you weren't demoted.

2. Yes this obviously hurts, just like losing Bobby last year hurt. These are talented guys that brought unique things to the table for us. However, I think there is a danger in overstating how big of a blow it is. This is something that happens all the time to many programs. Unless you are the head coach at one of the top 5 or so programs in the country there is always another rung on the ladder. Coaches are transitory, and other programs overcome this stuff. The key to overcoming a loss like this is making a good hire. Have to see it as an opportunity.

3. This isn't goodbye, it is "until next time." I believe URI hasn't seen the last of Preston Murphy. The prodigal son can always come home.

1. Murhpy is the #1 assistant at URI. While he will make more at BC, he will be the #2 assistant.

2. Must hire a big time recruiter. Likely will need to be an African-American that can relate to current players and make the staff diverse.

3. Murphy could come back but he shouldn't get treated as if he were currently on the staff looking to be promoted. As his likely move indicates, this is a business. URI should give him the courtesy of an interview (as an alumnus) if he were to ever apply for a future head coaching position. Rhody however should still hire the best candidate available. If that is someone other than Preston at the time, so be it.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

Billyboy78 wrote:I'm not sure why we didn't think of this when Christian was hired.

I think his recent promotion was an indication that he might be in demand. If I recall correctly, wasn't he prominently mentioned for some other assitant job this spring?

I myself thought Spinelli being hired would have made Preston being added to the BC staff less likely. They really must be putting a lot more money into their staff for their #2 assistant to possibly be making double what URI's #1 assistant was making.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

KMac is saying BC has 750K in budget for assistants. Lot of green.

RoadyJay · Unread post by **RoadyJay** » 10 years ago

RF1 wrote:
Billyboy78 wrote:I'm not sure why we didn't think of this when Christian was hired.
I think his recent promotion was an indication that he might be in demand. If I recall correctly, wasn't he prominently mentioned for some other assitant job this spring?

I myself thought Spinelli being hired would have made Preston being added to the BC staff less likely. They really must be putting a lot more money into their staff for their #2 assistant to possibly be making double what URI's #1 asssitant was making.

Kevin McNamara tweeted that BCS schools are now budgeting $750K-plus in basketball asst. pools. Lots of money to throw around.

Gonebarongone · Unread post by **Gonebarongone** » 10 years ago

Billyboy78 wrote:I'm not sure why we didn't think of this when Christian was hired.

I mentioned it in the BC thread when Christian was hired. Too many things lined up not for it to be a possibility. The rumor that BC was finally going to have a big time assistant coach budget. His BC ties. And the step up in conference. Anyone in his shoes would take 2x the salary and a bump up in conference. D1 assistant is a rough, vagabond life. Good on him for locking down some cash and security.

rjsuperfly66 · Unread post by **rjsuperfly66** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Fly, maybe Preston loved his time in Boston? He was there for years.
More urban, more things to do.
Coupled with a gigantic raise in pay, maybe that did the trick?
Which of us wouldn't make a career move to a familiar place for
a huge, maybe double what we were making, raise?

Agree 100%. I know I'm guilty (and I think you are too), of believing that our current coaches are lifers, that they will bring the program back and have a connection to the area that will keep them from wanting to leave. We want to believe they are more like Smart, Few, and to a lesser extent, Stevens, then the hundreds of coaches who strike gold and chase the money (and I used we because I believe this has been your defense of Danny in the past). I guess that is what surprises me in that you are so pro-Preston potentially returning one day to be head coach, in at least to me, this move is more chasing the gold. If he's already running after the big payday, what keeps him from running from Kingston after one or two good years if he came back? It would feel to me like the precedent is already set for that to happen.

As for money, does money equal promotion/demotion? Wasn't he the associate head coach at URI? And now he is just an assistant? You can still get to the same point in the future, but being the #1 on the staff, and falling to #2 or #3 in a mediocre, stumbling program doesn't indicate a promotion. Money is nice, sure. But did he climb the career ladder? Stay the same? Or take a step back? That's what I think of when I think promotion...

URI_IEP · Unread post by **URI_IEP** » 10 years ago

There were other players on the elite 8 team who are asst. coaches in D1 right now...

My avitar for example...

Andrew · Unread post by **Andrew** » 10 years ago

Any preferences on a replacement?

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Again, I would point out Preston's BC background as their assistant under
Al Skinner.
Perhaps he really enjoyed his time there.
Boston is more urban, more racially diverse, with access to
more for his family, than Kingston, RI or Cranston, where he lives.

URI-EP, Tyson Wheeler at Fairfield, and Antonio Reynolds Dean at Northeastern, are assistant coaches.

URI_IEP · Unread post by **URI_IEP** » 10 years ago

Antonio is an assistant at Northeastern
Tyson is an assistant at Fairfield

Being an assistant in the A10 would be a step-up for both of them. I have NO IDEA if they are strong recruiters, but we haven't had an assistant with big-man experiace since Larry Farmer (from what I can remember). Tyson was a top notch PG (as we all know) and could be a good replacement for Preston.

Section104 · Unread post by **Section104** » 10 years ago

What about Skinner? Any value bringing him on as an assistant?

Rhodymob05 · Unread post by **Rhodymob05** » 10 years ago

So after his recent promotion, and him congratulating new recruits and saying how excited he was for the future. And representing himself at the opening of the new facilities. It was all fake

Ram1019 · Unread post by **Ram1019** » 10 years ago

Rhodymob05 wrote:So after his recent promotion, and him congratulating new recruits and saying how excited he was for the future. And representing himself at the opening of the new facilities. It was all fake

I wouldn't classify this as being fake. If I had a new job lined up, I wouldn't stop doing my current job. Going to the new facility and congratulating recruits is part of his current job.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Skinner couldn't recruit by himself. He had Ed Cooley at BC.
That's why nobody hired him a head man.
I've always been in favor of hiring a George Blaney type, but it
wasn't as our top recruiter. Skinner as a mentor/teacher, all day long.
Other than Preston, the only Black on staff are the DBO and grad assitant.
Look at what Bobby did. He hired Nate Oates, EC's high school coach.
Why? Lots of contacts in Michigan, well respected, and a winner.
If Dan hired a high school or AAU guy, people here would be
turning in their season tickets.
Maybe it's time to think outside of the box? Maybe Papile or Marc Bayha of
Expressions know who's hot?

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

Rhodymob05 wrote:So after his recent promotion, and him congratulating new recruits and saying how excited he was for the future. And representing himself at the opening of the new facilities. It was all fake

I'm upset he is leaving, but I'm not really sure this is fair. What would have been better? He just mailed it in and checked out before it being official and turned his back on all of that stuff? My guess is people would be equally upset with that approach.

Section104 · Unread post by **Section104** » 10 years ago

Jarvis tweeted....hes not happy

BCRhody03 · Unread post by **BCRhody03** » 10 years ago

Section104 wrote:Jarvis tweeted....hes not happy

It's amazing how quickly things can go from being so positive to the opposite. Anybody in the know think this could cause Garrett to 2nd guess his decision?

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

Section104 wrote:Jarvis tweeted....hes not happy

He has a right not to be happy. It really looks from the outside as if this news was intentionally kept quiet until after his signing.

Section104 · Unread post by **Section104** » 10 years ago

Second guess? Definitely. At the end of the day, however, no one gets released from NLI for an assistant leaving. I'm sure he'll be talked off the ledge.

Gonebarongone · Unread post by **Gonebarongone** » 10 years ago

Section104 wrote:Jarvis tweeted....hes not happy

As I said before, PM going to BC is part of the deal. But, it is a bit of a shadeball move to lead Garrett up to LOI signing and then bolt. No way did this move just sprout up in the last 24 hours. As much as kids should commit to a school, we all know they commit to the guys that recruit them. Feel bad for the kid.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

as far as i know this all happened in the last 2-3 days. this was not "brewing", christian has only been on the job for a couple weeks. PM is a standup guy, if he wasnt doubling his salary and getting a guaranteed multi-year deal you could question his loyalty, but given those things that URI cannot offer this is just a flat out quality of life issue. we have to change the way we do business if we ever want to build a program, you have to think he could have been convinced to stay.....but we couldnt even make a compelling argument.

Rhody4012016 · Unread post by **Rhody4012016** » 10 years ago

Now that garret is signed can he call PM and get an explanation. I understand that it was all happening in the last two days but as a player that you recruited that explanation should be semi warranted.

Justns11 · Unread post by **Justns11** » 10 years ago

It's not like he went from $50K a year to $100K/yr. He was already making good money and had just signed an extension.

How could he do this after talking to all these recruits about the URI "Family"?

This really bugs me.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

Jimmy Christian certainly didn't do his alma mater any favor.

BCRhody03 · Unread post by **BCRhody03** » 10 years ago

I'm sure Hurley is doing everything he can to put URI on a comparable level to other schools. Until that happens though, the school really has no chance in situations like this to compete with the money and security other big time schools can provide. Can't blame him for the move if it is indeed done. Hurley really needs to hit a home run on his replacement or our short term future for re fruiting could really take a hit.

Rhody4012016 · Unread post by **Rhody4012016** » 10 years ago

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanESPN 37s
Boston College announces than Billy Wuczynski is coming with Jim Christian from Ohio. Vastly underrated assistant coach.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

doubling your salary is doubling your salary.....you are crazy to think that is not a very compelling offer no matter how much you make. he has a family to take care of, this is a business. and unfortunately its not a very loyal business, but in this case it is hard to argue.

Justns11 · Unread post by **Justns11** » 10 years ago

BCRhody03 · Unread post by **BCRhody03** » 10 years ago

Might as well throw this out there... If I recall correctly, Preston recruited Hare as well. I know nobody knows his status, but does anyone think that this will affect Hares decision to return?

twisted3829 · Unread post by **twisted3829** » 10 years ago

rhodyfan3 · Unread post by **rhodyfan3** » 10 years ago

Can we ever catch a break??

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

Ironic the top tweet in PMurph's Twitter is the elated Jarvis tweet saying he was as happy as he's ever been.

https://twitter.com/coach_pmurph

BCRhody03 · Unread post by **BCRhody03** » 10 years ago

rhodyfan3 wrote:Can we ever catch a break??

Doesn't seem like it. All the bumps and potholes in the roads of RI serve as a pretty good metaphor for the state of our bball team.

sf2010 · Unread post by **sf2010** » 10 years ago

Very sad news about Preston and I can understand people being upset about it, but holding it against him is a mistake. Good for him going to get a big raise. Would hope that if he continues to succeed there that we might bring him back some day as the head man to take over for Hurley.