It’s a homecoming for both Massachusetts natives, as they both paved great careers as student-athletes during their time as collegiate athletes. Murphy returns to Merrimack after he spent the past eight seasons at the helm at William & Mary, while Fox Sargent comes back to North Andover after she led Roger Williams for the past four campaigns.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jen and Brian back to campus,” Gibson said. “Since leaving North Andover, they both excelled as coaches and educators at various schools. The passion and enthusiasm they have for their alma mater is contagious and to have two alumni return as head coaches is truly special and exciting for our student athletes and the entire Merrimack community.”
Murphy—who becomes the seventh head coach in baseball program history—returns home to North Andover after he had four 30-win seasons with the Tribe, five CAA-Tournament appearances and its first NCAA Tournament at-large bid.
Murphy was recognized as CAA Coach of the Year in 2014 after winning 34 games in his first year at the helm for the Tribe. In 2016, Murphy was named VASID Coach of the Year after a CAA Tournament Championship and NCAA Regional Final Appearance. William & Mary turned four 30+ win seasons under Murphy’s tutelage. Nine players who have competed for Murphy’s teams have been taken in the MLB Draft, with two players taken in the first five rounds.
