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��«Ӱҵ has named the football field at Joe Renfroe Stadium in honor of Gene Murphy, who stepped aside as head football coach in August because of health problems.

Murphy was surprised with the announcement during a halftime ceremony Thursday night (Sept. 14) during the home game against Southwest Mississippi Community College. The naming of the field as Gene Murphy Field was approved by the ��«Ӱҵ Board of Trustees earlier this month.

Surrounded by the coaching staff, football players and his family including wife Dot, the specialists coach who has coached alongside him many years, Murphy was presented with a photograph of the field with the heading “Gene Murphy Field” at the top by ��«Ӱҵ President Dr. Clyde Muse, ��«Ӱҵ Athletic Alumni Chapter President Rick Trusty and Jim Southward, director of Athletic Activities for the Mississippi Community College Board.

“I’m really honored. I just don’t know how to express it. It’s hard to describe it,” Murphy said through tears. “But I thank so many people who have been supportive. The players, obviously, for many, many years. Dr. Muse and all the administration. My coaching staff – I’ve had a lot of great coaches with me over the years that paved the way.”

Murphy, who remains athletic director, served as head coach twice for a total of 24 years. As of the time he stepped down from active coaching, he was the winningest active football coach in the National Junior College Athletic Association and is also the winningest football coach of all time at ��«Ӱҵ.

Murphy said it has been difficult to watch from the sidelines. “I’ve been trying to make this transition ever since I’ve been feeling better,” said Murphy, who has been battling an inner ear problem. “I’ve just wanted to be around the kids and the coaches. I’m just glad to be a part of this season.”

He has been involved in ��«Ӱҵ football since 1983 when he was assistant football coach under Bill Buckner. He was head coach from 1987 to 2003 and then again from 2009 to 2017.  Murphy’s teams have gone 172-76-5 in his two tenures as coach, guiding teams to the state playoffs 14 times and eight junior college bowl games. During that stretch, numerous former Eagles have gone on to notable careers at four-year universities and more than 100 have played in the National Football League.

 

Marks of success both on the football field and off are evident in the 15 times the college has won the David Halbrook Award since 1987. The award is given to the community or junior college with the highest percentage of graduates or completers in its athletic programs district-wide.

Larry Williams, who is also defensive coordinator, assumed the role of head coach in August.

 

[tweetable alt=””]��«Ӱҵ CC football field named ‘Gene Murphy Field’ for former head coach.[/tweetable]

 

The Murphy Years:

Assistant coach, 1983-1987

Head coach, 1987-2003

Head coach, 2009-August 2017

Athletic director, 1997-present

 

State Championships, six

Regional Championships, six

National Junior College Athletic Association Bowl Games, eight

 

All Americans, 42

National Junior College Athletic Association National Players of the Year, two

Professional players, more than 100

 

Region 23 Coach of the Year, six times

Halbrook Award for student-athletic graduation rates, 15 times

 

Overall record 172-76-5

��«Ӱҵ is celebrating its 100^th year of Community Inspired Service in 2017. ��«Ӱҵ opened in September 1917 first as an agricultural high school and admitted college students for the first time in 1922, with the first class graduating in 1927. In 1982 ��«Ӱҵ Junior College and Utica Junior College merged, creating the ��«Ӱҵ District. Today, as Mississippi’s largest community college, ��«Ӱҵ is a comprehensive institution with six locations. ��«Ӱҵ offers quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills. To learn more, visit or call 1.800.��«ӰҵCC.