Clayton Valley Charter head football coach Tim Murphy steps down after 11 seasons
One of the most polarizing and impassioned Northern California football coaches in recent history has stepped down after 26 seasons.
Tim Murphy, who coached the last 11 at Clayton Valley Charter-Concord, including winning a 2019 CIF state Division 2-AA crown, announced Monday he is stepping down before season No. 12.
As first reported by Darren Sabedra of the Bay Area News Group, Murphy, 53, confirmed to SBLive that he simply didn't have the energy for another season.
At least for now.
Tim Murphy called it quits Monday after 26 impassioned and successful seasons. Photo: Dennis Lee
He's hoping No. 1 assistant Nick Tisa will be his replacement.
"He has been basically running the offseason and doing an amazing job," Murphy said. "It's simply time."
He hinted more than once since winning the state title — especially after the pandemic — that he might not have the energy to coach. Although he knows it's the right decision now, it wasn't an easy choice for Murphy.
"I will definitely miss the relationships with the kids and coaches," he said. "There's not many things that bring you closer to people than intense preparation and competition."
After stints at Ygnacio Valley-Concord, also in the North Coast Section, and Clovis East in the Central Section, Murphy went 108-30 at Clayton Valley including 51-7 his first four seasons after replacing legendary coach Herc Pardi.
Tim Murphy (right) during his early days at Clayton Valley. Photo: Courtesy of Tim Murphy
His teams were always known as tough, fearless and running roughshod over all foes. In 2014, the Eagles led the nation (among the teams that posted on MaxPreps) with 7,055 rushing yards, which is a state record.
They also played tenacious defense and eventually acclimated to a more balanced offensive attack, last season actually throwing for more yards (3,427) than rushing (1,950).
They fit the personality of their coach, known for his muscular build and being physically fit. His teams never backed down from the region's toughest competition, noted De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh.
"He elevated the game around here," Alumbaugh told Sabedra. "He always wanted to play us. He always had his teams prepared. His teams were always physical, tough and well coached and disciplined."
He won three league and one NCS title during five seasons at Ygnacio Valley, claimed six league and two Central Section titles at Clovis East, and 10 of 11 league crowns at Clayton Valley, which won four more NCS crowns.
All told, he won 211 games, 20 league titles and was the USA Today California Coach of the Year in 2003. He led all three teams to their first section crowns. The Eagles went a combined 17-9 the last two seasons, both teams losing tough NCS D1 title games to Pittsburg, 28-14 and 13-3.
Tim Murphy (left) and De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh meet after a 2022 regular-season ending contest. Photo: Dennis Lee
Asked what he'll remember most about his time at Clayton Valley, Murphy said:
"I'll remember the huge smiles on the faces of the kids after the championships," he said. "And running like heck when they would try to get me with the Gatorade. They definitely got me more than I got away."
In a sea of memories, Murphy had one that struck the deepest.
"Kissing my daughter after the games," he said. "She was a student when we won the state title. That was absolutely irreplaceable."
Tim Murphy rarely, if at all, turned his broad back on the chance to play against the region's best competition. Photo: Courtesy Tim Murphy
