Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Pat Murphy (baseball manager)

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 9, 2025

Discover the career path of Pat Murphy (baseball manager), from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Pat Murphy is an American professional baseball manager, currently managing the Milwaukee Brewers in MLB. Before this role, he served as the interim manager for the San Diego Padres. Murphy also has extensive experience in college baseball, having been the head coach for notable programs such as Arizona State University and the University of Notre Dame. His career reflects a journey through both collegiate and professional baseball, holding leadership positions at multiple levels.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1982: Signed with the San Francisco Giants

In 1982, Pat Murphy signed a professional baseball contract with the San Francisco Giants.

1982: Hired as Head Baseball and Assistant Football Coach at Maryville College

In 1982, Pat Murphy was hired as the head baseball coach and assistant football coach for the Maryville College Fighting Scots.

1983: Continued Coaching at Maryville College

In 1983, Pat Murphy continued as the head baseball coach and assistant football coach for the Maryville College Fighting Scots.

1985: Hired as Head Baseball and Assistant Football Coach at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps

In 1985, Pat Murphy was hired as head baseball coach and assistant football coach for the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags.

July 11, 1987: Hired as Head Coach at University of Notre Dame

On July 11, 1987, Pat Murphy was hired by the University of Notre Dame as the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball team.

1987: Managed Netherlands National Baseball Team

After participating in Haarlem Baseball Week with the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags, Pat Murphy was offered the manager position for the Netherlands national baseball team at the 1987 European Baseball Championship. The Netherlands won the championship game.

1988: Replaced as Skipper for the Olympics

For the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Pat Murphy was replaced by former Northern Colorado Bears coach Tom Petroff as skipper of the Dutch team.

1992: Notre Dame reaches NCAA Regional Finals

In 1992, Pat Murphy guided the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to an NCAA regional final.

1993: Notre Dame reaches NCAA Regional Finals

In 1993, Pat Murphy guided the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to an NCAA regional final.

1994: Notre Dame reaches NCAA Regional Finals

In 1994, Pat Murphy guided the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to an NCAA regional final.

1995: Hired as Head Coach at Arizona State University

In 1995, Pat Murphy was hired by Arizona State University (ASU) as the head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team.

1998: Youngest collegiate coach to reach 500 career victories and Baseball America's Coach of the Year

In 1998, Pat Murphy became the youngest collegiate coach to reach 500 career victories, and he also won Baseball America's Coach of the Year award.

1998: Led ASU to the College World Series

In 1998, Pat Murphy led ASU to the College World Series.

2000: Managed Dutch National Team at Summer Olympics

In 2000, Pat Murphy managed the Dutch national team at the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. The team finished fifth, including a win against Cuba.

2000: Pac-10 Coach of the Year

In 2000, Pat Murphy was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year.

2000: Sun Devils Win Pac-10 Championship

In 2000, Pat Murphy's Arizona State Sun Devils won the Pac-10 Conference championship.

2004: End of NCAA Record Shutout Streak

In 2004, Pat Murphy's ASU teams ended an NCAA record of not being shut out in 506 consecutive games.

2005: Led ASU to the College World Series

In 2005, Pat Murphy led ASU to the College World Series.

2005: End of Streak in National Top 25 Polls

In the middle of 2005, Pat Murphy's ASU teams' streak of 100 consecutive weeks in the national top 25 polls ended.

2007: Led ASU to the College World Series and Pac-10 Coach of the Year

In 2007, Pat Murphy led ASU to the College World Series, and he was also named Pac-10 Coach of the Year.

2007: Sun Devils Win Pac-10 Championship

In 2007, Pat Murphy's Arizona State Sun Devils won the Pac-10 Conference championship.

2008: Inducted into FAU's Baseball Hall of Fame

In 2008, Pat Murphy was inducted into Florida Atlantic University's Baseball Hall of Fame. He was previously honored on FAU's 20th Anniversary Team as a pitcher and utility player.

2008: Pac-10 Coach of the Year

In 2008, Pat Murphy was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year.

2008: Sun Devils Win Pac-10 Championship

In 2008, Pat Murphy's Arizona State Sun Devils won the Pac-10 Conference championship.

November 20, 2009: Resigned as Head Coach of Arizona State

On November 20, 2009, Pat Murphy resigned as the head coach of Arizona State University amidst an investigation of the baseball program. He was given an ultimatum to resign or be fired.

December 2009: Report on circumstances around Pat Murphy's resignation

In December 2009, The Arizona Republic reported that Pat Murphy was given an ultimatum to resign or be fired from his position as head coach of Arizona State.

2009: Led ASU to the College World Series and Pac-10 Coach of the Year

In 2009, Pat Murphy led ASU to the College World Series, and he was also named Pac-10 Coach of the Year.

2009: Sun Devils Win Pac-10 Championship

In 2009, Pat Murphy's Arizona State Sun Devils won the Pac-10 Conference championship.

February 2010: Hired as Special Assistant to Baseball Operations

In February 2010, Pat Murphy was hired by the San Diego Padres as Special Assistant to Baseball Operations.

2011: Managed the Eugene Emeralds

In 2011, Pat Murphy managed the Padres' Northwest League affiliate, the Eugene Emeralds, leading them to a league-best overall season record.

2012: Managed the Eugene Emeralds

In 2012, Pat Murphy managed the Padres' Northwest League affiliate, the Eugene Emeralds, leading them to consecutive league-best overall season records.

2013: Managed the Tucson Padres

In 2013, Pat Murphy managed the Tucson Padres of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League (PCL).

2014: Managed the El Paso Chihuahuas

In 2014, Pat Murphy managed the El Paso Chihuahuas of the PCL.

June 16, 2015: Appointed Interim Manager of San Diego Padres

On June 16, 2015, Pat Murphy was appointed interim manager of the San Diego Padres after the firing of Bud Black.

2015: Hired as Bench Coach for the Milwaukee Brewers

After the 2015 season, the Milwaukee Brewers hired Pat Murphy as bench coach for Craig Counsell's coaching staff.

2015: Padres Deny Brewers' Request to Hire Murphy

In 2015, the Milwaukee Brewers wanted to hire Pat Murphy as a major league coach, but the Padres refused to allow him to join the Brewers.

June 11, 2023: Managed Brewers in Counsell's Absence

On June 11, 2023, Pat Murphy filled in as manager for the Milwaukee Brewers for an absent Craig Counsell, who missed the game due to his son's graduation; the Brewers won 8–6.

November 16, 2023: Promoted to Manager of the Milwaukee Brewers

On November 16, 2023, the Milwaukee Brewers promoted Pat Murphy to serve as their new manager after Craig Counsell's departure.

2024: Awarded 2024 NL Manager of the Year Award

In 2024, Pat Murphy was awarded the NL Manager of the Year Award for the unexpected success of the Brewers despite significant injury troubles and starting pitching woes, making him the first Brewers manager to earn this distinction.

2024: Brewers Clinch Postseason Spot and Win NL Central

In 2024, under Pat Murphy, the Brewers dramatically exceeded expectations, becoming the first team to clinch a postseason spot and winning the NL Central with a 93-69 record. They lost to the New York Mets in 3 games during the Wild Card series.