Tom Murphy Named New Oklahoma Head Coach

2008-09-09


Tom Murphy

The University of Oklahoma Hockey club announces that Larry Donovan has decided to step down as Head Coach of the Sooners.  Donovan will remain with the Sooners as an Assistant ...

The University of Oklahoma Hockey club announces that Larry Donovan has decided to step down as Head Coach of the Sooners.  Donovan will remain with the Sooners as an Assistant Coach and also as General Manager of the club. 

 

Donovan is the winningest head coach in OU Hockey's five-year history, compiling a 74-22-1 record in his three years at the helm of the Sooners.  Donovan has directed the Sooners into the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s post-season national championship tournament in every year of his tenure as Head Coach.  OU Hockey under Donovan has developed into a national ACHA powerhouse, consistently ranked in the top 10 of ACHA's premier flight, Division 1. 

 

“I love this club, these players, the University and this program,” said Donovan.  “I am extremely proud of what we've achieved in a short amount of time and equally as proud of the student-athletes that make up this great program.” 

 

Donovan's son, Matthew, is a senior in high school currently playing junior hockey for the Cedar Rapids (IA) Roughriders of the United States Hockey League.  Matt has committed to play NCAA Division 1 hockey at the University of Denver and was recently selected in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL entry draft by the New York Islanders. 

 

“I'm not leaving the program at all.  I intend to remain as involved as I possibly can with OU Hockey,” said Donovan.  “This transition will allow me some flexibility to travel to see Matt, as well as see more of my wife and daughter, more often than I could if I remained head coach.”

 

Donovan has appointed assistant coach Tom Murphy to take over the head coaching duties of the OU Hockey club.  Murphy joined the Sooners this summer after six successful seasons in the North American Hockey League, five with the Texas Tornado and this past season with the Wichita Falls Wildcats.  Murphy, along with former Texas coach Tony Curtale, was instrumental in guiding the Tornado to back-to-back-to-back NAHL championships from 2003-2004 through 2005-2006.

 

"I’m thrilled to have this opportunity,” said Murphy.  “Larry has established a high standard of excellence at OU Hockey.  I’m ready to continue that tradition and can’t wait for this season to get underway.”