ASU's Murphy states his wish list
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer
Arizona State's Pat Murphy is asking the University of Hawai'i to consider leaving the Western Athletic Conference and play as a baseball independent if he becomes its new coach.
Murphy said last night that independent status and allowing him to teach a class are two of the items on a list he has asked UH officials to look into as their negotiations enter the final hours.
ASU has called a press conference for tomorrow morning to announce whether Murphy will remain with the Sun Devils amid growing speculation that UH will be unable to meet Murphy's requirements and could move on to its on-deck choice, Georgia Tech assistant Mike Trapasso, as soon as today if negotiations with Murphy aren't concluded.
Murphy, who is scheduled to meet this afternoon with ASU athletic director Gene Smith, said he has yet to make a decision. "We're sitting here right now trying to decide what is the best move to make," Murphy said. "The bottom line is it is about doing what's right for my family and doing the right thing and taking as much time as it takes to do it."
Murphy said he talked over the weekend with Hugh Yoshida, UH athletic director. "I'm sure we'll talk some more," Murphy said.
Yoshida was due back from the Mainland last night and was not immediately available for comment.
The 42-year-old Murphy reiterated it will not be a purely "money decision" that drives his choice whether to leave ASU despite the fact the Sun Devils have reportedly doubled his $130,000 base salary with a package that, with incentives, could pay well in excess of $275,000 plus camps and outside contracts.
"It isn't about matching offers; it isn't about that," Murphy said.
UH was reportedly offering between $135,000 and $150,000 before ASU sweetened the deal Wednesday.
Murphy, who rebuilt Notre Dame to national prominence before going to ASU, said he believes UH can return to being a regular participant in the NCAA
Regionals and a Top 20 team more easily as an independent. Murphy said he believes UH could play five marquee teams on a home-and-home basis — he mentioned Louisiana State, Arizona State and Notre Dame as examples — and complete
its schedule with other schools to earn an NCAA at-large bid.
It is unlikely the WAC would grant UH such an exception for its baseball team. Commissioner Karl Benson said earlier this year, in regard to questions about volleyball and baseball, that the conference expects its members who field teams in sports conducted by the conference to remain in the WAC.
Murphy, who has a master's degree in education, said he would also like to teach a class in an area beyond sports.
