Rob Murphy Leaving EMU

[Hilltopper]

Not confirmed at this time.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2012081...xt%7CSports%7Cp

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballn...ituation-at-emu

[ZachTheZip]

That's a dick move if it's true. Just a few weeks before classes start, after all the coaching candidates have been hired by other schools. It's also a big step down to go from a D-I head coach (and MAC Coach of the Year) to a talent scout for a team that's in turmoil and probably years away from really competing.

The timing is off. Usually when a coach leaves like this, it's because he knows some major bad news is coming and he's abandoning ship.

I wonder if EMU will look at Zips assistant and EMU alum Charles Thomas as a replacement. I hope not. I like what coach Thomas is doing here.

[Dave in Green]

Maybe he knows there's no way he can live up to that MAC Coach of the Year award, and he's cashing in his chips before they all go poof.

[MDZip]

Maybe he knows there's no way he can live up to that MAC Coach of the Year award, and he's cashing in his chips before they all go poof.

Or perhaps the shame of knowing he undeservedly won it over Keith Dambrot finally got to him.

[Z.I.P.]

If it's true -- another slap in the face to the Mid-American Conference. Just when a left-for-dead program jumps into (potential) national prominence, he goes and t'rows em under da truck. Those with any sentiment to EMU, or the MAC in general gotta feel sad -- and embarassed. If he leaves, he better not try and come back to any mid-major conference again!

[dboze]

If it's true -- another slap in the face to the Mid-American Conference. Just when a left-for-dead program jumps into (potential) national prominence, he goes and t'rows em under da truck. Those with any sentiment to EMU, or the MAC in general gotta feel sad -- and embarassed. If he leaves, he better not try and come back to any mid-major conference again!

Associated Press confirmed that Murphy turned down the job with the Magic.

Yahoo Sports - Murphy rejects offer

[johnnyzip84]

After a poor outing against Syracuse earlier this week, EMU's group of transfers bounces back with a nice home win over Purdue 47-44. Sure, the Boilers are a little down this year and the Eagles look to be offensively challenged, but after watching them against the Orange, I'd say thay have a pretty nice collection of athletes (long and quick). This is the kind of team that would have been a bad match-up for the old Zip teams. But the 2012-13 Zips should be able to handle them.

[Dave in Green]

EMU did a brilliant job of outshooting the Boilermakers from the field, 30.9% to 29.8%. Combined, the two teams sank 31 of 102 field goal attempts. But Purdue did win at the free throw line, shooting 60% to EMU's 42.1%. Together, they just broke 50%, hitting 20 of 39. I recall some painful games like that from the Zips' dark past, and hope I never have to sit through one of those again.

[RowdyZip]

Rob Murphy's snooze-fests are just in time. With Chuck Coles retiring, we need another nap-worthy matchup. Good win for EMU either way, though I'm guessing the style of play wont up average attendence at the convo to the triple digits.