At Home at Harvard: Murphy Will Not Pursue IU Job

Tim Murphy can officially add another line to his coaching resume—Division I-AA coach of the year.

But that is, at least for now, the only new item he’ll be attaching to his curriculum vitae. Murphy, named Schutt Sports Division I-AA national coach of the year by American Football Magazine yesterday, officially announced that he will return to the Harvard sidelines next season, removing himself from consideration for Indiana’s vacant post within hours of receiving the award.

“I know there’s been a lot of speculation regarding myself and the head coaching position at Indiana,” Murphy said in a press release. “But I’m very happy here at Harvard, and the situation at Indiana is not something I’m going to pursue.”

Murphy, currently in the midst of a recruiting trip, was not available for further comment.

Published reports first raised the possibility of Murphy’s departure on Tuesday, when The Boston Globe, citing sources at Harvard and Indiana, confirmed that he had interviewed for the post. Though Murphy disavowed interest in a move to Bloomington later that day, stating that he had explored the opportunity because he owed “it to [his] family to listen to what people have to say,” the matter was only put to rest yesterday morning.

“It was definitely talked about a little bit,” incoming captain Erik Grimm said. “But we were kind of left in the dark for the most part, so it wasn’t a distraction in that sense. But we’re glad to have it behind us now so we can focus on spring ball and winter conditioning.”

Indiana officials declined to say how Murphy’s decision affected their ongoing selection process, citing Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan’s statement on Dec. 1 that he would not discuss the status of any applicant prior to announcing his hire.

The Hoosiers have been without a coach since Gerry DiNardo was let go earlier this month at the conclusion of his team’s 3-8 season, Indiana’s third losing campaign in as many years.

Murphy, who guided Harvard to the only perfect record in Division I-AA this season, has drawn widespread attention before, receiving coaching offers from the United States Naval Academy and the University of Delaware and reported interest from the University of Florida after Steve Spurrier’s departure. Following the Crimson’s victory in The Game on Nov. 20, Sports Illustrated columnist Steve Rushin devoted his weekly “Air and Space” column to Murphy and his achievements at Harvard with an article dubbed “The Real Crimson Tide.”

But prior to being named coach of the year, Murphy, who has led Harvard to three Ivy League titles, had not been honored with a national award. Fourth on the Crimson’s career wins list with 66, he had previously earned three Division I-AA New England coach of the year nods and a pair from the ECAC, as well as regional coach of the year honors from the American Football Coaches Association following Harvard’s perfect 9-0 season in 2001.

“It’s a great honor for coach, and we’re all glad he got it,” Grimm said. “It reflects the work of the assistant coaches that he hires and the players that he recruits, as well as the work that he himself puts in.”

—Staff writer Timothy J. McGinn can be reached at mcginn@fas.harvard.edu.