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PITTSBURG —
Matt Murray was officially introduced Tuesday as only the third head baseball coach at Pittsburg State in the 33-year history of the baseball program, following Al Ortolani and Steve Bever.
"I certainly need to pinch myself, for sure," Murray said. "When Jennifer and I were told that we would have the opportunity to be the part of a great university and community, we looked at our son Reed, who will be 3, and said, 'Hey, Reed, we're moving to Pittsburg, Kansas,' and he said, 'Dad, can I bring my toys?' We knew it was the right time for our family and what a place."
Associate AD for Marketing and Communications Dan Wilkes and Athletics Director Jim Johnson both touched on what qualities made Murray stand out among 100-plus candidates and two other finalists for the head coaching job.
"We were looking for somebody that had a vision and had a plan for what Gorilla baseball could be in what's going to be a new MIAA, moving into a new region and place our baseball program, along with our other sports, on a national stage," Johnson said. "We wanted someone that could develop and train players, we wanted someone that could develop a coaching staff, we wanted someone who could build a schedule that would position us to compete for regional bids, conference championships and a shot at the College World Series and maybe, most importantly, we wanted someone that had a plan to insure academic success for our student-athletes. Matt Murray not only laid out that plan in front of various groups, but did it very articulately, methodically."
Johnson said that he especially appreciated the fact Murray proposed a five-year plan for recruiting and maximizing resources from surrounding communities which love baseball and produce good baseball players.
"We were looking for a winner," Johnson said. "We wanted someone that could join the rest of this coaching staff in taking this baseball program and putting it on a national stage. You heard Dan (Wilkes) talk about Matt's record as an assistant and as a head coach and how he's never been part of a losing season. That's pretty impressive. I think we’ll agree that when you coach for a multiple number of years and you're always part of a winning team, that makes a big difference."
Matt Murray was officially introduced Tuesday as only the third head baseball coach at Pittsburg State in the 33-year history of the baseball program, following Al Ortolani and Steve Bever.
"I certainly need to pinch myself, for sure," Murray said. "When Jennifer and I were told that we would have the opportunity to be the part of a great university and community, we looked at our son Reed, who will be 3, and said, 'Hey, Reed, we're moving to Pittsburg, Kansas,' and he said, 'Dad, can I bring my toys?' We knew it was the right time for our family and what a place."
Associate AD for Marketing and Communications Dan Wilkes and Athletics Director Jim Johnson both touched on what qualities made Murray stand out among 100-plus candidates and two other finalists for the head coaching job.
"We were looking for somebody that had a vision and had a plan for what Gorilla baseball could be in what's going to be a new MIAA, moving into a new region and place our baseball program, along with our other sports, on a national stage," Johnson said. "We wanted someone that could develop and train players, we wanted someone that could develop a coaching staff, we wanted someone who could build a schedule that would position us to compete for regional bids, conference championships and a shot at the College World Series and maybe, most importantly, we wanted someone that had a plan to insure academic success for our student-athletes. Matt Murray not only laid out that plan in front of various groups, but did it very articulately, methodically."
Johnson said that he especially appreciated the fact Murray proposed a five-year plan for recruiting and maximizing resources from surrounding communities which love baseball and produce good baseball players.
"We were looking for a winner," Johnson said. "We wanted someone that could join the rest of this coaching staff in taking this baseball program and putting it on a national stage. You heard Dan (Wilkes) talk about Matt's record as an assistant and as a head coach and how he's never been part of a losing season. That's pretty impressive. I think we’ll agree that when you coach for a multiple number of years and you're always part of a winning team, that makes a big difference."
His previous coaching stops include assistant coach at Claremore (Okla.) High School from 1998 to 2001, head coach at Claremore from 2002-2006, assistant coach at Kansas State in 2007 and assistant coach at Central Missouri from 2008-2012. His 2005 team at Claremore won a state title and finished ranked No. 11 nationally by USA Today.
Pitt State announced Murray as the new head coach last Friday.
"So many emotions came through," Murray said. "I was real excited. My first thought was all the great people that I've been around in the past and how I wanted to reach out to them and I have to tell them thank you."
Other coaches at Pitt State have talked about how they fell in love with Pittsburg, Pitt State and the Southeast Kansas area.
"I can already see it," Murray said. "Absolutely, I can see that now. It's a wonderful, wonderful place. The university, just great people. I noticed that obviously the president, Dr. Scott, and the athletic director, Jim Johnson. It's just a first-class university, a first-class operation, and really a first-class community that I look forward being a part of."
His fellow Pitt State coaches welcomed Murray into their fraternity.
"I've had an opportunity to talk to some of our coaches," Murray said. "I know this, they're very willing to help. They've let me know that in any way possible, which is nice to know. I will certainly continue to reach out to our colleagues on the staff."
With his experience coaching at Central Missouri under Pitt State alum Tom Myers, Murray walks into his new job not a stranger to PSU baseball and its players, as well as its history and its success.
"We’re excited about the current players that are coming back and the current players that have signed letters of intent, I’m real excited to be a part of that group in the direction we’re going now," Murray said. "I think there’s a lot of great things in place."
One might expect the new head coach to ease his way into the position until he feels more comfortable in his surroundings. Murray had none of that idea.
"We’ve got to go right away," Murray said. "That’s the plan. We’ll sit and visit with staff members and discuss the plan not only from the recruiting side of it but also from the tactical and practice side of it. We’ll certainly have to start right away."
Murray said that passion and energy are key elements in winning baseball and he wants to make having fun everyday at the ballpark a part of the program.
"I recall guys who just love the game of the baseball, absolutely had passion for the game and it showed because of the energy they played with and that’s what we want here," Murray said. "Guys who enjoy being on the field and it shows with the energy and enthusiasm they have."
Murray and his wife Jennifer have been married since 2004 and have two young sons, Reed and Grant. Murray earned degrees from Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association rivals Northeastern State (Tahlequah, Okla., undergraduate) and Central Missouri (graduate).
