By sports reporter Terry Boehmker, NKyTribune
Over the past 15 years, one of the most successful head coaches in 9th Region girls high school basketball learned on Friday that he no longer has a team.
Head coach Kes Murphy, who has 302 career victories in 15 years and a 151-58 record over the last seven seasons with the Pandas, was not rehired by the Notre Dame Academy administration.
Murphy claimed that Janet Carl, the athletic director at Notre Dame, called him on Friday to inform him that he would not be rehired, but she did not specify why.
Carl emailed the following statement from the administration on Sunday:
Kes Murphy has been with our basketball program for seven years, but he is no longer the coach at Notre Dame Academy. We wish him luck in his future pursuits and value the time and effort he invested in our student-athletes.
We are unable to share further information because this is a personnel matter. Our major priority continue to be our student-athletes’ total sports experience, personal development, and well-being. We are dedicated to creating a courteous, upbeat team atmosphere that embodies Notre Dame Academy’s goals and principles.
Murphy said that he was unaware of the administration’s statement until a former player’s parent emailed him a copy.
Yes, we did push children. Murphy told the NKyTribune via email that we never denigrated, cursed, or mistreated them in any manner. To develop character, we placed a strong emphasis on accountability, discipline, and teamwork, among many other virtues. On and off the court, we conducted ourselves in a way that reflected the principles of Notre Dame Academy.
Murphy was hired as head coach of Notre Dame in 2019 following two seasons in which the school’s teams finished 7-22 and 8-18.
The Pandas have ended with 20 or more wins six times, reached the 9th Region finals three times, and had a 151-58 record for a 72.2 winning % during the previous seven seasons.
Notre Dame concluded with a 22-8 record this past season after losing a close game to Cooper, 60-57, in the 9th Region championship game. However, Murphy was still under pressure despite the team’s success.
According to him, the parents prevailed because some parents have been extremely vocal since the previous season and have lobbied for my termination.
Prior to joining Notre Dame, Murphy was the head coach of the girls’ team at Holy Cross for eight seasons, with a 151-81 record. His team became the first girls’ team to win 9th Region and state titles in the post-season playoffs after winning the All A Classic region and state titles in 2014–15.
Murphy said that Notre Dame’s athletic officials failed to acknowledge his accomplishment when he surpassed 300 career victories this season. Not knowing why he wasn’t rehired is another thing that disappoints him.
According to him, everyone would have been more open to the move if this had been handled in a professional, businesslike manner.