CSU assistant accepts
Wahine volleyball job

Shoji hires the Rams'
Debbie Penney Murphy

By Cindy Luis
Star-Bulletin

Eight months ago, Debbie Penney Murphy made her first trip to Hawaii as the assistant volleyball coach for the Colorado State women's volleyball team. It was a quick three-day stay that included an even quicker 0-3 loss to the University of Hawaii Wahine.

Yesterday, the 27-year-old Murphy agreed to make her next visit more permanent, accepting Wahine coach Dave Shoji's offer to become a member of his coaching staff.

She fills the part-time assistant's vacancy created when Charlie Wade was named associate head coach earlier this year. Wade replaced Howard Wallace, who was hired as head coach at Creighton University after nine years with the Hawaii program.

"It's a tremendous opportunity to be able to work with a program that has reached levels that Hawaii has," Murphy said last night in a call from her Fort Collins, Colo., home. "The biggest selling point was probably the chance to work with Dave (Shoji), definitely one of the most respected coaches in the field in the country.

"Coming to Hawaii is an opportunity you can't pass up."

Shoji said he screened more than 50 applicants for the position, which pays just under $30,000. The position entails recruiting, scouting and game preparation.

"Of the candidates we considered, she was one of the best gym coaches and that makes a big impact on a program," said Shoji. "She comes highly recommended by (former CSU coach) Rich Feller and I respect his opinion. She's one of those up-and-coming type coaches who'll probably be a head coach in a few short years."

Last season, Colorado State had its best performance in 10 years, finishing 23-11 overall and 10-6 in the Western Athletic Conference. The Rams earlier lost head coach Rich Feller, who resigned after 14 seasons to become an assistant coach with the U.S. women's national team.

Before coaching at CSU for two seasons, Murphy was head varsity coach at Marcos de Niza High in Tempe, Ariz. She led the Roadrunners to the runner-up spot in the 5A state championships.

Murphy was a four-year starter for Arizona State (1988-91) and was an All-Pacific 10 selection and All-West Region pick as a middle blocker. The Sun Devils' team captain as a senior, Murphy was also named to the Pac-10 All-Academic team.

Murphy is expected to arrive in mid-July. Her husband, Ken, will remain in Colorado for the school year to finish his Ph.D work at CSU.

"It was a hard decision in that we had to work some things out to make sure my husband could pursue his doctorate," Murphy said.