NCT's Murphy steps down

In three seasons, Dan Murphy has overseen a Nature Coast program that has gone from rising upstart to local powerhouse.

But in spite of that success - two district championships, three regional berths and a 65-19 mark overall - other areas of his life had begun to suffer.

With that mind, on Sept. 7 Murphy turned in his resignation effective at the end of the season. He did not make that decision public, however, until the team's year-end banquet this Monday.

The key issue, according to Murphy, was the time conflicts caused by running the Nature Coast program and his business, Murphy's Market.

Operating the market requires several late nights, and Murphy said that during volleyball season he would "get next to no sleep" three nights per week.

"The last two years I've been burning the candle on both ends during volleyball, and it's made it very tough on me," Murphy said.

Ups and downs

Though Murphy's tenure as Lady Shark headman started with the 2007 campaign, he first came to the Nature Coast bench a year earlier.

When Maria Garcia stepped down in midseason 2006, Murphy joined the team as a volunteer assistant to interim coach Aixa Crespo.

The Lady Sharks finished up that season as they had the previous two, as district runner-up and a loser in the regional quarterfinals.

Falling in the first round of regionals became a reoccurring theme during Murphy's tenure, even as wins kept piling up during the regular season.

Nature Coast went 20-6 in 2007 and claimed its first district championship, yet lost to South Lake in its initial home playoff match.

The following season the Lady Sharks entered the Class 4A, District 8 Tournament 22-2, but were upset by Hudson in the final and dropped their regional contest at Orlando-Bishop Moore.

Finally Nature Coast overcame its playoff hurdle this year, downing Ridgewood after cruising to a second 4A-8 crown.

However, another postseason loss to Hudson in the regional semifinals still left Murphy feeling the sting of disappointment.

Nevertheless, he was named Hernando Today Coach of the Year for the second time in three seasons.

"I enjoyed it (coaching) with the girls very much," Murphy said. "I kind of wish I could have done more for them.

"...I had a great group of girls. It wasn't just me. Whoever takes over next year will still have a great group of girls to work with. I think Nature Coast will still be a team to be reckoned with."

Though the next head coach won't have the services of three-time Player of the Year Alex Livengood, that person will inherit a roster full of underclassmen who gained considerable varsity experience this year.

One of those is sophomore outside hitter Courtney Liddle, already a two-time All-County selection.

Nature Coast Athletic Director Kristin Peeples, while acknowledging Murphy's accomplishments, hoped that the school would have a replacement hired by the spring after going through the proper hiring process.

"He's done a tremendous job here. We hate to see him going," Peeples said. "We have known for a while now he was going to do this. He needs to concentrate on other things in his life.

"...It's a talented group of kids. We want someone who can step right in and continue to improve on their skills and continue to build that program."

BY THE NUMBERS: DAN MURPHY AT NCT
Year Record
2007 20-6*
2008 24-4^
2009 21-9*
TOTAL 65-19
* Denotes district championship
^ Denotes district runner-up