News You should hear the announcement for your next softball coach tonite...

I've been expecting this to hit the wires all day but it's just now breaking.

Patrick Murphy, who has been coaching at Bama for 15 years—13 as HC—should be announced very soon as taking the job.

One hell of a hire, one hell of a coach. I hate to see him go.

After 12 seasons as head coach, Patrick Murphy has achieved unbelievable success:

* SixCollege World Series appearances (2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009)
* 12 straight NCAA Tournament app. (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999)
* TwoSEC Championships (2006, 2010)
* Three SEC Tournament Championships (2003, 2005, 2010)
* Two-time SEC Coach of the Year (2006, 2010)
* Most wins in school history (632)
* Best winning % in school history (.771)
* Most wins in a season in school history (66)
* Most wins in the country-66 (2000)
* Six Consecutive 50+ Win Seasons (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005)
* Consecutive Top-10 ranking (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2001, 2000)
* Six-time South Region Coaching Staff of the Year (2000, 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2009)
* 31NFCA All-Americans
* 30 Easton All-Americans
* 44 All-South Region Selections
* 60All-SEC Selections
* Most SEC wins in a season in UA history (25)
* Seven Academic All-Americans
* 10 Academic All-District Selections
* 77 Academic All-SEC Selections
* Nine NCAA Regional All-Tournament team selections
* Five World Series All-Tournament team selection
* 47 SEC Player of the Week selections
* Youngest coach in SEC history to reach 100 wins
* One of 12 finalists for the 2004 United States Olympic team head coaching position
* Coached 2001 team to school record 27-0 start and No. 3 national ranking
* Hitting coach for Canadian National Team in 2004 Olympics
* Assistant Coach for Team USA in Summer of 2009
* Assistant Coach for USA Junior National Team in 2010

 

I don't understand how this happened.

 

What do you mean? With Girouard retiring I figured some of you guys would be following the coaching search. With their history, Murphy and Girouard, it's not that surprising to me...Yvette was considered a mentor by Pat.

 

Looks good, but no NC's? Hell, we don't want him...

Just kidding, looks to be an impressive hire....and puts Bama in a bind...

I approve. :thumb:

 

:geaux: Bringing his Assoc. Head Coach, Alyson Habetz, with him. Former ULL player for Yvette I believe and a great hitting coach. Great hire in all respects! :thumb: :LSU231:

 

Sup Terry. I got a text this afternoon from a local HS softball coach who was friends with Sue. I thought about you first thing. haha.

Good to see you.

 

We did. He was making 140K plus incentives and the package offered by LSU was over 200K plus...

Red, a little further up in this thread, touched on one area that has a small role in his decision—support from the entire Athletic Department. However, that said, the support this program has had over the last 15 years has been tremendous. I wouldn't say we have the best softball facilities in the nation, but in the top three, no doubt.

Those aren't my assessments, but those of visiting coaches from very high profile schools.

Yes. I've heard CPM say on several occasions how he looked up to Yvette as his mentor and would say "I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the influence Coach Giouard has had on my career."

FWIW, I'm told that LSU first targeted Arizona's coach with an offer of over 300K but was turned down. Then, Aleva contacted Murphy.