Ken Murphy enters his second season at the helm of the UTEP volleyball program.

In his first season, Murphy led the Miners to a record-breaking 2007 campaign, as Katie Smith and Elsa Reyes broke season records for assists and digs in a season, respectively. Smith's 1,356 assists in 2007 smashed a 15-year season assists record.

Under his guidance, Smith received Academic All-Conference USA honors while eight student-athletes were named to Conference USA's Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Murphy came to UTEP after serving six seasons as the associate head coach for the University of Idaho, where he helped lead the Vandals to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2003 and 2004.

While at Idaho, Murphy's duties included recruiting and team development, with primary responsibilities over middle blockers and setters. He also oversaw offensive and blocking systems, as well as strategies.

Prior to Idaho, Murphy was an assistant coach at Colorado State. He led the Rams to three NCAA tournaments, including a Sweet-16 appearance in 1999 and second-round finishes in 1997 and 1998.

Murphy also served as head coach of various club organizations around the country over a 10-year period. While in Fort Collins, Colo., he guided his 18U team to a top-20 ranking during the 1999 season and led the Norco Juniors to the 1998 Rocky Mountain Region title and the 1997 USA Volleyball national qualifiers.

He has additionally had extensive high school coaching experience. As an assistant coach, he led Marcos de Niza High School (Tempe, Ariz.) to the 5A state title in 1992 and 1993, as well as a state runner-up finish in 1994. As the boy's varsity coach, he directed the team to the state quarterfinals in 1994.

Murphy received his bachelor of science degree from Arizona State in 1992 and a master of science degree in 1995. He was born on July 19, 1968.