Sioux Legend Gene Murphy passes away

[iramurphy]

I received word this afternoon that former UND player and coach gene Murphy passed away today Oct. 29.. He was 72. He had been hospitalized at the USC hospital after surgery Tuesday for esophogeal cancer. I was told the surgery went well but he died of a heart attack.

The name Murphy of Ira Murphy was for Gene Murphy. He was from New Jersey and grew up a St. Louis Cardinals fan. His hero was Stan Musial. He spent his first year playing for the Gopher freshman before transferring to UND. He played Quarterback and as a player and later head coach for the Sioux he never lost to the AC. I don't believe I ever heard him call them anything else. They were and always will be the AC. He was an assistant coach under Jerry Olson and was the offensive coordinator during the 1970's when UND won 4 conference titles and the Camelia Bowl between 1970-75. Before serving as UND's head coach for two years. He turned around the program that had struggled for a couple of years and led the Sioux to another conference title and the playoffs. He then took the head coaching job a Fullerton State and led them to a conference championship, bowl games and national rankings. His Fullerton years are documented in a nice story about Murph in the Orange County Register of Oct. 29. I couldn't figure out how to cut and paste.

Gene Murphy was the best recruiter in the history of UND athletics. He was a loyal UND fan in all sports. When Gino Gasparini was a the surprise hire for the head hockey job in the late 1970's and was getting harrassed by fans and the media for being picked over Ned Harkness, Gene Murphy stood by him. Back then there were no hockey fans, FB fans, BB fans. We were all UND Fighting Sioux fans. We had an annual "tri-jock" party with FB, hocky and BB players. Athletes from different sports and different teams hung out together. We also were not isolated from our fans and the the other students we lived in the dorms or apartments or fraternity houses with. Gene Murphy and his love for UND and UND athletics fostered that attitude maybe more than anyone else.

His Irish wit and charm were legend. His exploits as a student among the co-eds are still told over cold beers. When he recruited, he recruited the Mom's first and there were very few Moms who didn't have a crush on Murph. When Gary Pietrozewski (sp?) was thinking of going to the AC and his Mom liked the idea of Fargo being closer than GF to drive to games, Murph convinced his Mom they were building a new interstate between the Twin Cities and GF that would make it a shorter trip. Petro came to UND.

Murph brought Dale Lennon and Rob Bollinger and Roger Thomas to UND. He was introduced and admired by players and coaches at UND over the years who have had the opportunity to meet him and hear of his love for UND. His players have a record of success after football that is also remarkable. Steve Mariucci coached under Murph. Hue Jackson and Cable of the Raiders coached under Murph. Whenever there was a former Sioux player in need Murph would make sure one of us was aware and the Fighting Sioux family would respond. Those Fighting Sioux didn't have to be athletes. If they were Fighting Sioux fans Alumni, students, it didn't matter. Gene Murphy had their back. When one of his former players was signed as the back-up punter to my son-in-law Mat McBriar of the Cowboys Murph contacted me to let me know how much McBriar had helped his former player.

Gene Murphy and those who coached, played hockey, volleyball, bb, swam, ran track or were students or faculty and were like Murph are the real tradition and spirit of the UND Fighting Sioux. That is why the Spirit of UND and the Fighting Sioux will live forever with or without a logo or a name on a jersey.

He is survived by sons Tim and Mike, daughter Aileen and her mother Christine McCarthy.

I hope Tom Clifford met him at the gates of heaven with a pint of God's best Irish lager and a pinch of Skoal or Copenhagen and a reservation on heaven's handball courts for the two of them..

[gfhockey]

i just seriosuly tierd up

[coachdags]

First meet Gene Murphy back in the early 80's, he was a guest speaker for a couple of Father and Son Banquet's at the Elks Club in Grand Forks. Coach Gene Murphy was one of a kind, truly Inspirational, a Great Ambassador for the Fighting Sioux, He loved Sport and was a Fierce Competitor, never backed away from any challenge. He was well respected and loved by many, he will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to all his family and friends. Today we lost one of the best, may he rest in peace.

UND Coaches Olson, Helling, Murph, (front row) RT, Muss (back row)

[UND Fan]

Ira - great write-up. I didn't know Murph well but fully agree that he was a class act, a true Fighing Sioux, cared about his players as well as all UND alums & fans. I had always hoped that he would come back to UND in some capacity.

He will be missed!

[CMSioux]

I knew Gene when I was a student involved with football at UND, he had a wit about him and always a smile on his face - totally the cat that ate the canary smile. I was in the locker room the game he held a bison bobblehead and used it as a prop during his pre-game speech - let's say the bobblehead was worse for the wear after that speech. He and Pat Berns made a great set of assistant coaches.

[iramurphy]

Nice articles coming out of LA. Many comments form his Titan players and Titan family similar to what we hear from his Fighting Sioux family. Google Gene Murphy for articles.

The list of coaches who played or coached under Gene Murphy is impressive. Army head coach Rich Ellerson, Northwestern Asst Jerry Brown, Jim Chaney former Purdue Asst, Rob Bollinger, Dale Lennon, Roger Thomas, and Pat Behrns of UND and UNO.

Raiders former head coach Tom Cable, present Raiders coach Hue Jackson, former 49ers and Lions head coach Stever Mariucci. 49ers asst. Ed Donatell, former Titans asst. the late Mike Heimerdinger (wonder what nickname Murph had for him).

[VMeister]

I didn't have an opinion of the Ag College one way or the other when I arrived at UND. I developed one shortly thereafter

Murph was the most inspirational leader I've encountered in my life. And it's not even close.

Rest in peace, Coach.

[70'sguy]

I was a student at UND from 1973 - 77. Coach Murphy was an assistant football coach at the time. I was not a football player or on scholarship in any sport but took a few classes from coach Murphy as I was in P.E. I was impressed with him the first time I met him. No matter who you were he always had time for you. Indeed he was a class act who will be missed. People like him and others like Pinky Kraft make me think fondly of my years at UND. I will miss both of them. Rest in peace.

[iramurphy]

I was a student at UND from 1973 - 77. Coach Murphy was an assistant football coach at the time. I was not a football player or on scholarship in any sport but took a few classes from coach Murphy as I was in P.E. I was impressed with him the first time I met him. No matter who you were he always had time for you. Indeed he was a class act who will be missed. People like him and others like Pinky Kraft make me think fondly of my years at UND. I will miss both of them. Rest in peace.

You could add Frank Zazula to the group. Your experience is a great example of what made Murph special. If you were a UND guy or gal your were special to Murph whether or not you were a FB player. He helped make UND and UND athletics (not just FB) what it is. The same comments are coming from former players, and students from Cal State and Fullerton College.

[70'sguy]

Yes you are correct, Zaz was also a class act and an awesome individual. He was great to every one I appologize for leaving him out.

[coachdags]

You could add Frank Zazula to the group. Your experience is a great example of what made Murph special. If you were a UND guy or gal your were special to Murph whether or not you were a FB player. He helped make UND and UND athletics (not just FB) what it is. The same comments are coming from former players, and students from Cal State and Fullerton College.

Zaz and Martha were our host couple at our Wedding back in 1980. Could not be nicer people. I'm from Colorado (23 years) last 31 in Grand Forks. It's people like Zaz, Murph, Tom Clifford, RT, Bolly, Dale, Gene, Bubba, Dosch, Mannasau, Gunther, Glas, I could go on forever that make Grand Forks, UND what it is.

Coach Murph exemplifies this and lead by example, he was truly inspirational...

[70'sguy]

Zaz and Martha were our host couple at our Wedding back in 1980. Could not be nicer people. I'm from Colorado (23 years) last 31 in Grand Forks. It's people like Zaz, Murph, Tom Clifford, RT, Bolly, Dale, Gene, Bubba, Dosch, Mannasau, Gunther, Glas, I could go on forever that make Grand Forks, UND what it is.

Coach Murph exemplifies this and lead by example, he was truly inspirational...

Well said!

[iramurphy]

Nice article in the LA times on Gene Murphy. They called him "Father Flannagn with a whistle".

[Siouxperman8]

When I was in high school Murph welcomed me to UND football practice and he hooked me up with Rob Bollinger and Erv Mondt for some coaching. He also connected me with some of the players who gave me advice also. It was a great help to me.

I later went away to college but transferred back to UND and was a football walk on who eventually played for 3 seasons. Much of the reason I tried out for the football team was the excellent experience I had with Murph and his staff.

[iramurphy]

Murph's Funeral is Monday, Nov. 7 at 11 AM at the St. Juliana Falconieri Church, 1316 N. Acacai Ave., Fullerton, Ca. There is a prayer service the night before at the McAulay and Wallace Funeral Home, 902 N. Harbor, Fullerton, Ca.

[coachdags]

A Nice Tribute....

http://www.fightingsioux.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=205327360

[CMSioux]

Nice mention in Sports Ilustrated this week - but no reference to time at UND

[iramurphy]

Great sendoff for Murph yesterday. His family put together a very nice tribute. Church was packed. Lots of great Murphy stories. The Cal State players appreciated Murph as much as we did. Many of them gave him credit for getting them out of poor neighborhoods and helping them become successful. Former UND head coaches, Jerry Olson, Roger Thomas and Dale Lennon all were there. Asst. coaches Del Wight, Larry Manfull, Rob Bollinger, Tom Tatum, Danny Martinson, Corey Colehauer, John Miklesh were all there. Miklesh, Manfull and Roger Thomas all coached with him Cal State. Steve Mariucci was there as was Northwestern Asst. Jerry Brown. Roger, Steve and Jerry had some great Murphy stories and took a number of us over to their former offices. A reminder of how much Murph and his staff did with so little. Damon Allen his former QB who rewrote the record books in the CFL shared some great stories. Brian Grover was the UND QB when Mariucci was the QB at Northern Michigan and they were comparing stories. UND was well represented by former coaches and players. The family and CSF put together a nice video tribute that included his UND days. Murph leaves a beautiful family: Tim, Mike and their families, his daughter Aileen, his friend Christine and former wife Kathy (Bruiser) couldn't have been more gracious. The time Gene spent with his players and coaches was time away from family for those folks and we owe them a debt of thanks for sharing their Dad/Husband with the players and the Fighting Sioux family. Mariucci had pictures of Murph behind him for his broadcasts last week. as a tribute to Murph. May he rest in peace.

[PhillySioux]

Great sendoff for Murph yesterday. His family put together a very nice tribute. Church was packed. Lots of great Murphy stories. The Cal State players appreciated Murph as much as we did. Many of them gave him credit for getting them out of poor neighborhoods and helping them become successful. Former UND head coaches, Jerry Olson, Roger Thomas and Dale Lennon all were there. Asst. coaches Del Wight, Larry Manfull, Rob Bollinger, Tom Tatum, Danny Martinson, Corey Colehauer, John Miklesh were all there. Miklesh, Manfull and Roger Thomas all coached with him Cal State. Steve Mariucci was there as was Northwestern Asst. Jerry Brown. Roger, Steve and Jerry had some great Murphy stories and took a number of us over to their former offices. A reminder of how much Murph and his staff did with so little. Damon Allen his former QB who rewrote the record books in the CFL shared some great stories. Brian Grover was the UND QB when Mariucci was the QB at Northern Michigan and they were comparing stories. UND was well represented by former coaches and players. The family and CSF put together a nice video tribute that included his UND days. Murph leaves a beautiful family: Tim, Mike and their families, his daughter Aileen, his friend Christine and former wife Kathy (Bruiser) couldn't have been more gracious. The time Gene spent with his players and coaches was time away from family for those folks and we owe them a debt of thanks for sharing their Dad/Husband with the players and the Fighting Sioux family. Mariucci had pictures of Murph behind him for his broadcasts last week. as a tribute to Murph. May he rest in peace.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d823c8338/Who-will-win-the-AFC-North

[iramurphy]

Thanks for the video, I hadn't seen it. Mariucci was a pall bearer along with other former coaches and Murph's pal Vince Liddy from Grand Forks. Before my son-in-law signed with the Cowboys the Lions had him in for a workout and Murph called Steve and asked him to take a close look at him. There were a lot of similar stories about how Murph knew and kept track of his former players but also knew their kids names and what they were doing. He frequently did things like that for his former players or coaches or the families. Murph also treated the people around his programs like he did his All-Americans. Mike Wirtz, former Sioux student manager was at the funeral and Murph loved him and kept in contact with him just like he did with his star players. That would have made Murph just as happy as having Mariucci there.