Connecticut College Men Name New Coach

Former Brown Assistant Kenny Murphy Takes Over

June 9, 2009

Kenny Murphy, assistant soccer coach at Brown University, has been named head coach of the Connecticut College men’s soccer program.

Ken Murphy

Kenny Murphy spent six years as an assistant at Brown University. (Photo courtesy of Connecticut College athletics)

Murphy, a former professional soccer player, spent 16 years on Wall Street as a successful commodities broker before joining Brown’s soccer program in 2003.

“I respect and admire the academic commitment inherent among NESCAC colleges,” Murphy said. “I am proud and excited to work with the student athletes at Connecticut College, where athletics and physical fitness are important components of their broader liberal arts education.”

At Brown, Murphy’s teams earned four NCAA tournament berths, capturing three Ivy League championshps along the way. Under the direction of Brown head coach Mike Noonan, Murphy coordinated recruiting efforts, played an active role in fundraising and assisted with academic counseling for a program that consistently ranks among the nation’s top 10 percent for academics.

Fran Shields, Connecticut College athletic director and chair of physical education, said Murphy is a highly respected soccer professional who will bring a fresh perspective to the soccer program.

“He has played professionally, coached at the highest collegiate level and has years of experience with club teams,” Shields said. “We are confident his experience at Brown will help him attract talented student-athletes capable of succeeding on the NESCAC playing field and in the classroom.”

Forward Trevor Prophet, a Connecticut College junior who was named to the 2008 All-NESCAC team, anticipates an exciting future for Camel soccer under Murphy’s leadership.

“After serving on the coaching search committee, I am 100 percent sure that Ken Murphy is the man for this job,” Prophet said. “I have so much respect for what he has accomplished as a player and as an assistant coach at Brown.”

An advocate for the game at all age levels, Murphy plays an active role with the Bruno United FC youth soccer club in Providence, where he is a member of the board of directors and serves as head coach of the U17 team.

Murphy’s name is well known within the soccer community in the Nutmeg State. A 1982 graduate of the University of Connecticut, Murphy contributed to three NCAA tournament berths with the Huskies, serving as team captain on the 1979 squad. A two-time All-New England selection, Murphy represented his team at the Senior Bowl in 1980.

At the conclusion of his playing career at UConn, Murphy played two years of professional soccer with the Detroit Express and Washington Diplomats of the North American Soccer League before a knee injury ended his career. He went on to earn his Master’s degree from Sacred Heart University in 1986.

Murphy replaces Bill Lessig, who won 269 games in his 38 seasons as the first head coach of the Camel program.

“Bill Lessig leaves a great soccer legacy at Connecticut College,” Shields said. “Ken is the right man to carry that legacy forward.”