Defend the Block 395 - Dylan Murphy Transcript
8/4/2026 8:39:00 AM | MGoBlue Podcasts
Brian Boesch • 00:00
You can't predict how a coaching staff will come together, but I am a believer that the creation of a staff can tell you a bunch about a head coach's philosophy, recruiting ability, creativity and structure. Now Dusty May's staff obviously yielded incredible results and it made sense. It felt like a proper puzzle from the get go with some known commodities and some outside the box fines. I still think dating back to twenty nineteen that Juwan Howard staff made a ton of sense as created, but staffs do benefit fluidity and that one did not change for the entirety of Howard's five years. Certainly there were other issues that plagued the program down the stretch under Juwan Howard and that was one of them. It's tough to envision a much more successful coaching staff build than Mike Boynton junior Has come close to finalizing. There's still a few roles to fill, but the five assistant coaches are set and it would be an impressive coaching staff build without any of the context retaining Akeem Miskdeen and Kyle Church, both of whom knew Dusty May more than Boynton two years ago.
Brian Boesch • 01:04
Massive promoting KT Harrell was a positive with Boynton over the last couple of years, leveraging kt's basketball knowledge with some scout assistance when Boynton was on a scout. And how about the two off the radar outsiders? A sitting head coach in Mike Martin who we spoke with last week after he exited his time at Brown University in and today's guest Dylan Murphy, the first time Michigan has received someone from what has been called at times the Michigan Magic and the Orlando Magic organization. Martin and Murphy have vastly different backgrounds, both from each other and from the other assistants, Harrell, Miskdeen and Church under Boynton, yet they both bring some fascinating basketball knowledge and experience these two hires had Michigan needed to hire two assistants off Dusty May's staff last year and Dusty were still around would have drawn plenty of positive reviews. For Boynton, known as an elite recruiter, to hire Martin and Murphy.
Brian Boesch • 02:01
Even though this interim into full time role is not a guaranteed long term solution and situation that is incredibly impressive and bullish for what a talented roster can become. Last week you heard from Mike Martin. This week let's hear from Dylan Murphy. Great episode coming for you next here on Defend the Block, we're talking Michigan basketball.
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Jeff Laurence • 02:21
We're talking Michigan Basketball. Welcome to Defend the Block where we'll take you inside the basketball programs with interviews, analysis and so much more. Now here's your host Brian Boesch.
Brian Boesch • 02:35
Great to visit with the newest member of the Michigan men's basketball family, that's assistant Dylan Murphy. Coach, thanks so much for making the time. What has the acclimation been like for you as of late?
Dylan Murphy • 02:45
Yeah, it's been great so far. The staff been super welcoming the players, super welcoming. Everyone here at Michigan's been great. Obviously, just getting my life settled a little bit and trying to get things organized. But yeah, trying to hit the ground running. You know, I practice on Saturday, I practice today, and just trying to get up to speed.
Brian Boesch • 03:03
Why did you elect to take this position? What was intriguing and what ultimately made you pull the trigger?
Dylan Murphy • 03:09
Yeah, I mean, ultimately, University of Michigan speaks for itself, the tradition, obviously, the success of the basketball program. Coach Boynton, you know, the, the players coming back, and everyone I spoke to who has been at Michigan, which actually with the Orlando Magic, where I came from, we have a bunch of players who played here, spoke so highly of, of this program and this university that when I did get the opportunity, it seemed like, you know, a great move.
Brian Boesch • 03:36
Yeah, I'm glad you mentioned it. People around here had called it the Michigan Magic at times. It's been pretty wild when you are in a spot of development like you were in the G League. What are some characteristics that maybe you saw from Michigan players that impressed you, that helped them? I know it's a different regime and all of that, but. But there are some core aspects of Michigan that, that probably helped, that you noticed.
Dylan Murphy • 04:00
Iq. I mean, I think you see every player that comes out of Michigan just knows how to play basketball. You know, it stood out immediately. Franz Wagner, Mo Wagner, Jett Howard, Caleb Houstan. You know, I was actually Caleb Houstan's player development coach in Orlando. I was Iggy Brazdeikis's player development coach as a two way. You know, even Xavier Simpson, John Teske, who were in Lakeland before Osceola, and then DJ Wilson, who I actually got to coach in Osceola. So all those guys are the one. One common theme, obviously talent and ability, but knowledge of the game really translates.
Brian Boesch • 04:36
We caught up with Mike Martin, one of the other new assistants in the program. I asked him about his connection with Mike Boynton junior The head coach. They didn't really know each other all that well, but certainly seemed to hit it off. How would you describe what you knew of or knew about Coach Boynton before and how did that develop in your conversations?
Dylan Murphy • 04:53
Yeah, I didn't know Coach Boynton at all before this process. And then, you know, in our first conversation, I just felt like we clicked just in terms of, you know, the way he sees basketball, the way he sees building an environment, obviously the positivity and Joy that he brings to the gym, his knowledge of the game. It just felt like we were a match. And then, you know, obviously then the university as well. It just. Sometimes you just get that feeling that this is going to be a really good move. And so, you know, really grateful to Coach Boynton for this opportunity and just excited to get going.
Brian Boesch • 05:30
The evolution of the college game, especially from a coaching standpoint, bigger benches, more opportunities, more responsibilities that can be maybe more focused on what do you understand right now about what you think your role will be and. And are there areas that maybe there is some unknown still at this point?
Dylan Murphy • 05:48
Yeah, I mean, I think we're still obviously just putting the whole thing together from a staff perspective with, you know, me and Mike Martin joining. So, you know, we'll kind of settle all those things out. But obviously just excited to, you know, fit in where I can and help where I can and, you know, whatever Coach Boynton needs and whatever the players need, you know, I'm here as a resource.
Brian Boesch • 06:09
Other than a brief stint with Ball State as a grad assistant, you have been in either the NBA or in the G League. Back when you first started in Fort Wayne, it was the NBDL. Where do you feel like college and NBA basketball has merged in recent years? Because it does feel like there are some, maybe more similarities nowadays than there. There may have been in the early two thousand ten s when you started.
Dylan Murphy • 06:33
Yeah, I think stylistically the games are a lot more similar than people give credit for in terms of the actions that are run on both ends of the floor. The style of defense, obviously the lack of defensive three seconds closer, three point line creates some different spacing issues, you know, versus the NBA. But principles of play, I think are very similar, you know, here at Michigan and what Coach May did and what Coach Boynton is doing, very NBA similar to the NBA stylistically. So I think, you know, in that sense it's made the transition a lot more comfortable for me and just excited to, you know, to bring whatever I can to everybody.
Brian Boesch • 07:17
Tell me about your background. You did not play in college. It's a story that in coaching circles has. Has been told a few times. But for Michigan fans, you take that opportunity in Fort Wayne, what got you to want to try coaching in college or coaching in basketball and what were some of the unique trials and tribulations as somebody who did not have a basketball playing background at a high level?
Dylan Murphy • 07:40
Yeah, you know, for me, playing basketball in college wasn't something that was even on my radar. My parents were teachers, education, super important Went to Emory University my freshman year, transferred to Columbia University, sophomore through senior. And, you know, during that time, I was doing sports media stuff and. But I always had an interest in coaching. And then when the opportunity came to join the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the D League back in the day, I did. And then, you know, I think like any industry, whether it's basketball or not, you just. You try to work hard, get to know people, do a good job, and hope to get lucky. And, you know, I've been fortunate for opportunities that have come my way and just try to continue to grow and learn as much as possible. And, you know, super grateful that it's landed me here.
Brian Boesch • 08:25
What do you think, other than the hard work allowed you to stick and be able to spend a few years in Fort Wayne, ultimately end up on an NBA assistant coach bench. But what were some of the things that you brought that felt like you were able to kind of climb the way that you did?
Dylan Murphy • 08:42
Yeah, I'm not really sure. You know, you'd have to ask the people that have hired me in the past, but I think just generally you have to be appreciative of standing on the shoulders of other people and recognizing others giving you opportunity. You know, there's a gratefulness that you have to bring to your job and understanding that someone has given you that chance. So being cognizant of that and just working as hard as possible and trying to learn as much as possible and never trying to be a finished product, I think that mentality is super important in basketball in whatever industry you're in. And so something, you know, I think has been instilled in me that I continue to try to apply philosophy.
Brian Boesch • 09:22
I want to split it into two. One, your philosophy on player development, obviously key in the G League, but what are core tenets of Dylan Murphy's approach to trying to get a player from point A to point B in some aspect of their game?
Dylan Murphy • 09:36
Yeah, I think understanding basketball from. Let me back up and say this way, to me, there are three aspects to play well is being an expert on your individual game, being expert on our team game, and being an expert on the opponent, and so on your individual game. Obviously, that's your skill work, all of that, but that's also your nutrition, your sleep habits, all of those things off the court, obviously our team game, being an expert in that area, and then when it comes time to play, being an expert on the opponent. But I think identifying A where you lack is important. But I would say for the guys that really develop, it's about highlighting your strengths more than it is about identifying your weaknesses. Obviously, you want to work on the weaker parts of your game, but, you know, the best players that I've been around, they're always leveraging their strengths, and it's always about what they're good at and people having to respond to that versus the other way around of being pushed into your weaknesses.
Dylan Murphy • 10:32
So how do you make your strength the stick, the thing that sticks out the most? And so everybody has got an ability in them that is better than ninety eight percent of basketball players. Obviously, individually, not everybody is the best player on the team, but there are certain things that Elliot Cadeau does better than anybody else that, you know, JP Estrella does better than everybody else. And so you have to recognize what those things are and build on those so that those become the focal points of your game.
Brian Boesch • 11:00
Basketball wise, what are core tenants, core philosophies you have? Whether it's a certain play style, it's an approach, certain things that. Yeah. Dylan Murphy. I make sure that I prioritize this when it comes to the game.
Dylan Murphy • 11:14
Yeah. For me, it's better to be on the same page than the right page. So understanding what we are trying to do here at Michigan is the most important thing for me. Obviously, I come in with a couple years of head coaching experience, but having a growth mindset early and understanding that I don't know the college game as well as everybody here. I don't know the players, I don't know the staff. Like, I have to take a learner's approach early, really understand how we do things and how this place operates to then be able to kind of figure out, okay, this is where I can, you know, maybe add some. Some value. But I think that's kind of the most important thing, is taking that step back and kind of evaluating everything.
Brian Boesch • 11:56
A few more questions for new Michigan men's basketball assistant Dylan Murphy here on Defend the block. It's very early, but you've been around a little bit now, and you obviously knew what you were inheriting while you were having the conversations with Coach Boynton. So what are your impressions of the program, the players, all of that?
Dylan Murphy • 12:17
Yeah, there's just a culture here that is very hard to describe. Connectedness, togetherness, a deep care about the work, a thoughtfulness about how things are organized. And I think sometimes when you're involved in that for a long time, it just feels like this is how it is and this is how it always is everywhere. But having been in a few places, it is not like this Everywhere. And so just feeling that and seeing that makes me want to be a part of it even more and, you know, wants to make sure that I'm contributing in every way I can.
Brian Boesch • 12:48
Did you sense that during the conversations with Coach Boynton?
Dylan Murphy • 12:51
Yeah. I mean, just getting to know him and the way he operates, you know, I got a great feel for that. And, you know, obviously, he is a super high character human being, and, you know, it starts there, and he sets that tone for the whole group.
Brian Boesch • 13:05
As you try to figure out all that goes into this. On the basketball side, on the logistical, personal side, what's the early to do list? What do you want to make sure you have, say, by the trip overseas here later in the month? From a basketball standpoint?
Dylan Murphy • 13:21
Yeah. Well, from a life standpoint, super exciting. I locked in a place to live today, so that.
Brian Boesch • 13:25
There we go.
Dylan Murphy • 13:26
That was the big one. Yeah. I think from a basketball standpoint, it's just the learning that's really the most important thing. Understanding how things are done here. There'll be time for contributing and adding and bringing value that way, but really trying to understand deeply how players operate, what makes them tick, how we organize things here. You know, I think sometimes in an effort to add value, you know, player A is getting you message one, one from this guy, message two from this guy, message three from this guy. So I want to make sure, you know, I'm not crossing wires here accidentally, even if I have positive intentions. Sometimes I think when there is that over coaching or over communication, you get a little bit, you know, too many messages to a player, then all of a sudden they're not absorbing anything because they're hearing seven different things from ten different people.
Dylan Murphy • 14:20
So making sure that I'm aligned with the staff and aligned with how we do things here, really critical before I think I jump in fully.
Brian Boesch • 14:27
And that from a player development side, how important for you is that? Building of a relationship and doing so, understanding that how you might have a conversation with an incoming freshman. Michigan obviously has several. Could be different than what you have with someone who has been around the college game and maybe several stops, like a JP Estrella or Moustapha Thiam.
Dylan Murphy • 14:49
Yeah, I mean, you know, basketball is basketball ultimately. So, you know, things are new also for JP Estrella. Right. You know, things are. Are new for Moustapha. So, you know, understanding where people are in their journey in this program, at this stop of their career, really important how you approach things. Obviously, the longer you've been around a certain style of play or game, you're going to have a faster learning curve. But you got to meet people where they are and, and you know, approach it that way. And then, you know, obviously the relationship building, like, it's valuable for so many ways. One, obviously players are not robots. They are human beings. You know, they also have individual goals on top of our team goals. And then I think most importantly, like, it is super rewarding as a coach when those relationships last. You know, when I'm talking to players that I've coached three, four, five, six years ago that aren't on our team anymore, like, that's why we do this as coaches, you know, to see that growth and build those relationships.
Dylan Murphy • 15:43
And so I'm really excited about that. And obviously, you know, I've had the fortune of being able to coach Michigan players already. So I've seen how that has been done in the past and I hope to continue that here a couple more.
Brian Boesch • 15:57
When did you realize that you could really climb in basketball? Was it early on in Fort Wayne or was there a. A certain stop after that where you said, yeah, like this has a chance to be something really special for me?
Dylan Murphy • 16:10
Yeah, I mean, I've never really thought about it that way. You know, it's more so just trying to do my job as professionally and with as much work as possible, and then you just kind of see where opportunity takes you. You know, this opportunity, you know, popped up a couple weeks ago and, you know, just felt like it was a great move. And so I don't know if I ever looked at it that way. You just kind of put your head down and work, and then, you know, the chips fall where they fall.
Brian Boesch • 16:35
Were there any doubts at any point?
Dylan Murphy • 16:37
I think like everybody, you always have down. I think self confidence is important, but humility is probably even more important. Recognizing where your weaknesses are, where you have to grow. You know, I know a bunch of players now talking about imposter syndrome. I saw Duncan Robinson talking about that a couple years ago. And like, I think that's very real. Right. It's like you get to a point, you're like, wait, I'm here. You know, and you have to have that confidence. But I think that dose of self doubt is healthy because it motivates you and makes you want to work harder and get better and continue to be someone that brings value.
Brian Boesch • 17:11
When you figure out the imposter syndrome cure, let me know. I've had it for about seven years here.
Dylan Murphy • 17:15
Yeah.
Brian Boesch • 17:17
Your family side of things, how vital have they been? And it's a very big positive for your wife. From what I heard from you before, we got on here. A Michigan native?
Dylan Murphy • 17:28
Yeah, she grew up forty five minutes from Ann Arbor. So you know, we're super excited. I have a nineteen month old daughter so to be near family is unbelievable. And I think, you know, in this industry you don't always get that advantage. And you know, I'm from New York City, she's from Michigan and we've been in Orlando, Florida for the last eight years. So to be near family is kind of like just icing on the cake when all this happened. So really grateful in many ways for this opportunity.
Brian Boesch • 17:54
Lastly, have you allowed your mind to drift towards some of the places you're going to get a chance to coach in here in the Big Ten? As somebody who you haven't really been in the college game, but there's some really unique places, obviously some places where Michigan isn't very popular by any stretch of the imagination. Has your mind gotten that far to the coolness of what's to come?
Dylan Murphy • 18:13
Oh, of course. I mean, obviously there's nothing like college basketball environments. The NBA and the playoffs are unbelievable and the noise in those arenas is deafening. But there's a certain passion that college basketball brings that I'm really excited to experience. But most importantly for me, it was just this environment here, this university, the culture that already exists here and I'm really excited about that. And you know, those other things are cool, but obviously, you know, it's about being in the gym with these guys and this staff every day. That's the, that's the stuff that's going to carry you forward and, and bring you the most joy.
Brian Boesch • 18:53
Coach, appreciate you making the time and a busy turnaround for you and good luck getting the family all situated and getting up to speed.
Dylan Murphy • 18:59
Awesome. Thank you so much.
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Brian Boesch • 19:09
Awesome stuff there with Dylan Murphy. Appreciate his time. Thanks to Tom Weirat for his assistance as well. I mentioned we are still going to have Moustapha Thiam, Ricky Liburd, other players. But with the news coming out on Monday about Coach Murphy wanted to visit with him and get this episode out as soon as we recorded it. We chatted on Monday afternoon after what has probably been a whirlwind last few days for Coach Murphy. Thanks to him, thanks to you, we'll have plenty more on a busy stretch of Defend the Block and also in the Trenches presented by Meijer returns. Coming up next week we'll have our first in the Trenches episode in a little while. Coming for you on august twelfth. For Dylan Murphy, I'm Brian Boesch. Thanks as always for listening and go blue.
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Dylan Murphy • 19:53
Thanks for listening to today's edition of Defend the Block, part of our Michigan Athletics Podcast Network, M GO Blue Podcasts. The preceding has been a Learfield presentation of the Michigan Sports Network.
