Preston Murphy - Men's Basketball Coach

Preston Murphy

Title:
Assistant Coach
Phone:
205-348-4551

Personal Information

Hometown: Saginaw, Mich.
Education: Rhode Island, 1999 (bachelor's)
Spouse: Maria
Children: Preston Jr., Payton, Chase, Aria
Birthday: August 28

Coaching Experience

2023-present: Alabama, Assistant Coach
2015-2019: Creighton, Assistant Coach
2014-15: Boston College, Assistant Coach
2014-19: Rhode Island, Associate Head Coach
2010-2014: Rhode Island, Assistant Coach
2006-10: Boston College, Director of Operations

Preston Murphy begins his second season with the Alabama basketball program as an assistant coach after being hired in July of 2023. Murphy's primary responsibilities include on-court coaching, player development and opponent scouting. Nationally known as one of the best recruiters in the country, Murphy has elevated the program as the Crimson Tide reached the program's first-ever Final Four in 2024 during his first season with the Tide.

"I have known Preston for a long time, and I am thrilled with the many ways he has added tremendous value to what we do. I am always impressed with his energy, his humility, and his basketball acumen,” head coach Nate Oats said. “His insight, experience and ability to connect with student-athletes is a significant advantage for us. Additionally, Preston is a great person who is highly-regarded throughout the college basketball community.”

Alabama - Assistant Coach (2023-Present)

Oversees player development, monitoring and enhancing player skill sets during on-court training, film sessions, and individual player development plans
In his first season at Alabama, the Crimson Tide reached the program's first-ever Final Four in 2024
During his two seasons at Alabama, the Tide has won 53 games while appearing in back-to-back Elite Eights for the first time in program history
In his first two seasons at Alabama, Murphy was instrumental in bringing in and developing several players contributing to a program record for most points scored in a single season in back-to-back seasons, scoring 3,335 points in 2024 and 3,355 in 2025
Known as an elite recruiter, Murphy spearheaded Alabama's 2024 and 2025 signing classes that were both ranked in the top-five in the country
Murphy spearheaded Alabama's 2024 signing class that was ranked No. 2 in the country, the highest ranked recruiting class in the program's history
Signed the No. 7 transfer class in the country during the 2024 signing period
Recruited Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell, who became 2024 McDonald's High School All-America selections
During his time at Alabama, the Tide have had one All-America selection (Mark Sears) and two All-SEC selections (Labaron Philon and Sears)

Expressions Elite EYBL - Assistant Coach (2020-23)

Responsibilities included on-court coaching and opponent scouting
Lead recruiter for Expressions Elite on the EYBL Circuit
Instrumental in player development for Expressions Elite

Creighton - Assistant Coach (2015-19)

Helped the Bluejays win 86 games, including two NCAA tournament berths
Players under his watch have been repeatedly named First Team All-BIG East and BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, and been selected in the NBA Draft.

Rhode Island - Associate Head Coach (2010-14)

Worked four years under head coach Dan Hurley, two-time NCAA champion
Served as an assistant coach before being promoted to associated head coach in 2014
On-court coaching, opponent scouting, recruiting, and player development
Recruited A-10 Rookie of the year, EC Matthews, in 2013-14
Responsible for the highest-ranking recruiting class in school history with the 2013 class
Developed and signed the highest rated player to the school since Lamar Odom with an ESPN Rating of No. 58
Coached and developed numerous student-athletes that were selected to the A-10 All-Conference teams, All-Freshman team and Sixth Man of the Year awards
Signed two ESPN Top 150 student-athletes, including one from Long Island, N.Y. and another with an ESPN Rating of No. 78
National Coaches Diary participant

Boston College - Assistant Coach (2014-15 & 2006-10)

During that first stint at Boston College, the Eagles went 72-57 and made a pair of NCAA Tournament
Boston College featured NBA First Round picks Jared Dudley, Sean Williams and Reggie Jackson, as well as second-round selection Olivier Hanlan in those years

Playing Career

Played professionally three seasons in Belgium and Holland
In 2002, he played for the Los Angeles Clippers in the Southern California Summer Pro League and had one season with the Magic Johnson All-Stars
Murphy had an exceptional career at Rhode Island, scoring 1,218 career points and ranks third all-time on Rhode Island's list of career three-pointers made (181)
Made three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the first-ever Elite Eight appearance for Rhode Island in 1998
Won the A-10 Championship in 1999 and finished his career as the winningest player in school history
Graduated with a degree with a degree in business finance
Ranks among the all-time leaders in three-point field goal percentage, assists, and steals
In 2003, the University of Rhode Island presented Murphy with its "Recent Alumnus Award" in recognition of his loyalty and commitment to the school