Official OUAZ Athletics Press Release
Surprise, AZ — OUAZ Director of Athletics, Kevin Steele is pleased to announce Reilly Murphy as the new head football coach of the OUAZ Spirit. Murphy becomes just the second head coach in the program's history, taking the reins from the inaugural leader, Mike Nesbitt.
Leading a dynamic program like OUAZ requires a proven leader with a long history of helping to build successful programs and developing student-athletes of strong character. Murphy has achieved all this, as well as, implementing an explosive offense along the way.
"I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity. I want to personally thank President Tyner, Kevin and Kristin Steele, and the entire OUAZ leadership team for their trust and belief in me. I also must thank my wife, Caylyn, for her unwavering support. Through it all she's been my strength, the rock that holds our family together. I truly feel that every step of our football journey—both the wins and the wounds—has uniquely prepared me for this moment." Reilly said. "It's an honor to lead a program that aligns so deeply with my faith and coaching philosophy. Our mission will be to use football as a platform not only to develop athletes, but to shape strong, capable husbands, fathers, and men of integrity."
Murphy will lead OUAZ following a standout career across the NAIA and NCAA Division II levels, most recently serving as Assistant Athletics Director and Offensive Coordinator at St. Thomas University in Miami, FL. During his season at St. Thomas, they ended the season ranked #5 in the NAIA, and were the 7th best offensive team, averaging 43.9 points per game. Prior to that, he held key coaching positions at Gannon University, Lake Erie College, Fayetteville State, Dixie State, and Western New Mexico, consistently building record-breaking offenses and leading programs to new heights.
"Reilly brings a wealth of experience and remarkable offenses," said Steele. "His time as a head coach gave him the advantage of knowing how to lead when all of the pieces were not quite in place yet not using that as an excuse to not improve. Most importantly, he comes to us with a fire burning within him to lead our young men in the way of the Lord which leads to eternal success as well as success in this life. Reilly and his young family are going to be amazing additions to our OUAZ Athletics family, and we welcome them with open arms."
Murphy brings a reputation for revitalizing programs and achieving historic milestones, including helping Gannon University secure a PSAC West Co-Championship and delivering the most wins in a season as the head coach at Lake Erie College. In Murphy's two seasons as Head Coach at Lake Erie College his teams won more games than the previous six years combined. In 2021 the Storm had its best season in school history.
During his playing career, Murphy played quarterback at Grossmont, leading the Griffins to a National Championship in 2005, he was named to the Academic All-American team and was awarded the Joe Roth Memorial award. This award is given annually to a California Junior College football player who best exemplifies characteristics of leadership, humility, and class. He then became a two-year starter at Indiana State University and was named to the Gateway Conference's Newcomer of the Year Team in 2006.
Murphy earned his bachelor's degree in Radio-Television-Film Communication from Indiana State in 2008. He went on to attend law school at Thomas Jefferson Law School in San Diego, Calif. He and his wife Caylyn have three children – son Griffin (6) and daughters Lynley (5) and Avery (3).
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