Tyler Murray, who spent the past two seasons as head coach at NCAA Division II Shorter University, has joined the Furman men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach, it was announced by Paladin head coach Bob Richey.
“We are really excited about adding Tyler to our staff here at Furman,” said Richey, who was named head coach of the Paladins earlier this month. “He brings a high level of character, a beautiful family, and a lot of successful basketball experience into our program. His experience leading a program, recruiting the South, being a part of championship seasons, and working for successful people will add immediate value. Our program has been built by adding quality people and we have certainly done that with the addition of Tyler and Jessica.”
Murray guided the Hawks to a 17-12 overall record and 11-11 Gulf South Conference mark in his second season at the helm of the Shorter University program in 2016-17. Under his leadership, guard Phil Taylor averaged 34 points per game en route to earning DII Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA) National Player of the Year honors, National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) First Team All-South District accolades and was selected to the Reese’s DII All-Star Game. In his first year as head coach of the Hawks, Murray led the team to a 14-15 record and berth in the Gulf South Conference Tournament.
“I’m so thankful to be given the responsibility and opportunity of working for Furman University under Coach Richey,” said Murray. “Having known Coach Richey for quite some time, this was an easy decision for me. I am thankful to be able to join a program with great success and a proven system in place that both wins championships and develops outstanding student-athletes. I am honored to be serving here and look forward to playing a small part in continuing to build on what Coach Richey, Coach McAuley and Coach Perry have worked so hard to build.”
In six seasons as an assistant at Shorter from 2009-14 under Chad Warner, Murray helped guide the Hawks to their most successful run in program history. With Murray serving as recruiting coordinator, Shorter won 119 games, made two national tournament appearances, and captured the program’s first conference championship since 1977 during a record-setting 34-win season in 2011-12.
Murray was named the program’s associate head coach in 2012-13 as the Hawks began their first season competing at the NCAA Division II level within the Gulf South Conference. Shorter went on to win 21 games and claim the 2013 National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national championship.
In 2014-15, Murray joined head coach Barclay Radebaugh’s staff at Charleston Southern and helped the Bucs capture the Big South Conference regular season title. CSU earned an automatic berth into the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) and finished the season 19-12 overall and 13-5 in the Big South.
Murray played his collegiate basketball at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, one of the winningest Division III programs in the country, and led the Tigers to the program’s 10th Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III National Tournament during his junior season in 2007. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hampden-Sydney in 2008 and his Master of Arts from Shorter in 2010.
Murray and his wife, Jessica, a former standout volleyball student-athlete at Shorter, are the parents to a daughter, Carson, and a son, Carter.
http://www.furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-baskbl/2016-17/releases/20170428l1w1rz
