Tim Murphy Named Head Coach of Harvard Men's Swimming and Diving Program

Tim Murphy has been named head coach of the men's swimming and diving program. Murphy replaces Mike Chasson, who stepped down earlier this month to take the head coaching position at Arizona State University.

A 1979 West Chester State University graduate and former assistant coach for his alma mater, Murphy has coached 16 Olympic Trial qualifiers, including 1988 Seoul Olympic silver medalist and Stanford standout Janel Jorgensen.

Since that time, Murphy has maintained close ties with the Olympic Development Program as a member of the United States National Team coaching staff. In 1993, he was an assistant men's coach at the World Short Course Championships, and just this past year he was part of the Open Water Staff at the World Championships in Australia.

In addition, Murphy has spent the past 13 years as head coach of the nationally renowned Wilton YMCA Wahoos swim team in Wilton, Conn., and has been an acting volunteer coach for the men's and women's teams at Yale University since 1996. In his 13 years with the Wahoos, Murphy has led his women's team to seven national championships and was named the YMCA National Coach of the Year in 1989.

"The men at Harvard want to be in the top ten in the country and that is something that I am looking to accomplish," said Murphy. "On the club level, we've continually put kids at the national level and were able to maximize their talent. I have prided myself most on my ability to get athletes to the next level, and I am looking to bring those same skills to Harvard."

Murphy takes over a Crimson program that has re-established itself on a national level in recent years. Harvard is coming off a 9-2 season, where it captured its third straight Eastern title and sixth in seven years. Harvard then advanced to the NCAA championships in Auburn, Alabama where it finished in 11th place -- the highest by a nonscholarship team in several decades.

Murphy and his wife, Dotsy, are planning to relocate to the area with their four young children, Daniel, Shannon, Sean, and Kelley.

Of note, Tim D. Murphy is no relation to Harvard football coach Tim L. Murphy.