Billy J. Murphy

For other people named William Murphy, see William Murphy (disambiguation).

Billy Jack "Spook" Murphy (January 13, 1921 – February 21, 2008) was an American college football player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Memphis State University—now known as the University of Memphis—from 1958 to 1971, compiling a record of 91–44–1. Murphy's 1963 team was the school's first undefeated team in 25 years, and Murphy was named national coach of the year. Murphy was also the athletic director at Memphis State from 1966 to 1981. He grew up in Siloam Springs, Arkansas and played college football at Mississippi State University.

Billy J. Murphy

Biographical details
Born	(1921-01-13)January 13, 1921 Lorenzo, Texas, U.S.
Died	February 21, 2008(2008-02-21) (aged 87) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Playing career
1941–1942	Mississippi State
1946	Mississippi State
Position(s)	Halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1947–1951	Memphis State (backfield)
1952–1953	Mississippi State (backfield)
1954–1957	Minnesota (backfield)
1958–1971	Memphis State
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1966–1981	Memphis State
Head coaching record
Overall	91–44–1
Bowls	1–0
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
3 MVC (1968–1969, 1971)
College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 2022 (profile)

Murphy met all eligibility requirements and was first on the 2007 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. In 2022, he was inducted.^[1]

Murphy died in a retirement community in Memphis, Tennessee in 2008.^[2][3]

Head coaching record

Year	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Bowl/playoffs	Coaches#	AP°
Memphis State Tigers (NCAA University Division independent) (1958–1967)
1958	Memphis State	4–5
1959	Memphis State	6–4
1960	Memphis State	8–2
1961	Memphis State	8–2
1962	Memphis State	8–1
1963	Memphis State	9–0–1				14
1964	Memphis State	5–4
1965	Memphis State	5–5
1966	Memphis State	7–2
1967	Memphis State	6–3
Memphis State Tigers (Missouri Valley Conference) (1968–1971)
1968	Memphis State	6–4	5–0	1st
1969	Memphis State	8–2	5–0	1st
1970	Memphis State	6–4	2–2	3rd
1971	Memphis State	5–6	4–1	1st	W Pasadena
Memphis State:		91–44–1	16–3
Total:		91–44–1
National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
#Rankings from final Coaches Poll. °Rankings from final AP Poll.