First-year head coach Patrick Murphy was named the head coach of the Hawks on February 29, 2008.

Murphy brings experience at nearly every level of football to the Hilltop, including as a former assistant coach at Harvard University and most recently as the head coach at Dracut (Mass.) High School. As the head coach at Dracut, Murphy directed the Middies to the school’s first league championship in nearly 20 years and in 2005 was honored as the Lowell Sun Coach of the Year.

During his time as the defensive ends coach at Harvard University, Murphy aided in the development of the defensive playbook, assisted with coaching of all special teams and coached All-Ivy League defensive end Brad Payne. He also assisted with recruiting for the Crimson throughout the West Coast and the Southeast.

Murphy also coached for six years at the Division 2 level, including as associate head coach at UMass Lowell and as the outside linebackers coach at Bryant University. While at UMass Lowell, Murphy began as the secondary coach, as well as the special teams and recruiting coordinator. He was quickly promoted though and served as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator from 1999-2001.

A 1996 graduate of Northeastern University, Murphy played football for the Huskies and was a fullback, tight end and linebacker. Murphy graduated with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice.

Murphy resides in Shirley, Mass., with his wife, Lisa, and their three daughters, Tyler (6), Riley (5) and Ava (2).