HUDSON – When Marty Murphy was in high school in Clinton, his basketball coach insisted that players coach the local youth teams.
As a junior in high school, the last thing Murphy wanted to do was wake up early to coach basketball.
But then Murphy and the rest of the team got into it, competing against each other and claiming that their youth team was the best.
For Murphy, that planted a seed for a love of coaching.
Years later, Murphy has now been named as the new head coach for the Hudson High School (HHS) girls basketball team.
Coach brings experience to new role
Murphy has been coaching for over 30 years, including the past six years spent as the coach of the HHS junior varsity boys basketball team.
He applied for this new position after the former girls varsity coach resigned.
“I applied for it and went through the interview process and was fortunate enough to get selected,” Murphy said in a recent interview with the Community Advocate.
Murphy previously coached his kids. But, when they graduated from high school and, later, from college, the opportunity arose for him to get back into coaching for a school system.
Several years ago, Mike Notaro was appointed the head coach of Hudson’s boys basketball team.
Notaro visited Murphy’s house, asking if he would be interested in joining his staff. Murphy said “yes.”
Since then, Murphy said he’s loved working at Hudson High School. He specifically noted the leadership of Athletic Director Jessica Winders and Principal Jason Medeiros.
“They’re all about [having an] impact on people’s lives and kids’ lives,” Murphy said. “For me, it’s a great place to work doing something that I like to do. I really like it there, even though [Hudson was] a big enemy in high school,” Murphy said.
Career bridges Hudson, Clinton rivalry
Clinton and Hudson have, indeed, enjoyed a spirited rivalry over the years. Recently, Murphy said, his old Clinton basketball coach has laughed about him working for his own old rival.
Now, Murphy added, a league reorganization has put Clinton in Hudson’s division, which means his Hawks will be going against his alma mater twice each year in the future.
“The rivalry, I guess, will continue,” Murphy said. “Now, they’re in conference, so it’s a little bit different. You’re trying to win a league, you’ve got to beat a team twice.”
New season approaches
Murphy will be in charge of a staff of coaches while also taking the task of developing the program. He said he’s excited to generate interest with younger students who will hopefully want to play for the high school team.
“It’s building off what was already there, and what was already in place, and trying to put my stamp or my spin on everything,” Murphy said.
Sign-ups for the girls basketball team are ongoing, Murphy said. The season, in turn, will start on the Monday after Thanksgiving.
Generally, Murphy said, his team is younger, though he didn’t know exactly who would sign up as of last week.
Whoever signs up, Murphy said he’s excited to work with the team.
“It’s a younger crew of kids,” he said. “They’ve got a lot of spirit, a lot of fight, a lot of energy.”
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