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John Murphy is close to being named the next head coach at New Milford, pending approval by the town's board of education.
He’ll have a much longer ride to work, but it looks like three-time state championship winning coach John Murphy won’t be straying very far.
Murphy, who resigned at Masuk last month after 15 years, is expected be named the next head coach at New Milford.
It’s not official yet. Murphy’s hire is pending board of education approval, which will happen Wednesday.
Murphy, a Stratford resident, will be hired as paraeducator at Schaghticoke Middle School and would also take over as the girls lacrosse coach, according to the New Milford board of education’s budget agenda. He would officially begin his football coaching duties on Thursday.
Murphy and New Milford athletic director Lance Pliego both declined comment when reached Monday night. It’s board policy not to speak about potential hires until they’ve had board of education approval.
Murphy, who won 158 games in 16 years at Masuk, would replace Chuck Lynch, who resigned after nine seasons.
Unlike Masuk, which had played for a couple state titles before Murphy arrived in 1997, New Milford has had virtually no success in football.
Though the Green Wave once competed for an SWC title (a 7-6 loss to Foran in 2001), that remains its high watermark of football glory. It has never qualified for the state playoffs.
The Green Wave has just three winning seasons and has averaged just under 4 victories per season over the last 20 years.
Murphy’s first game as New Milford coach: vs Masuk.
Kevin Duffy contributed to this report.
