Former SMHS Coach Dennis Murphy Hired to Lead Phoenix High Boys Basketball Program

Phoenix, Oregon- Dennis Murphy, one of Oregon’s most successful high school basketball coaches, has been named head coach of the Phoenix High School boys basketball team for the 2025-26 season.

Murphy, who retired in 2016 with the highest winning percentage in Oregon history at 76.8%, was introduced to Phoenix players Monday morning in the school’s library. During the meeting, the longtime coach outlined his approach and goals for the upcoming season.

“If you play hard, you play smart and you’re coachable, I’ll guarantee you that’ll give us a chance,” Murphy told the team. “And that’s all we can ever ask for.”

A seven-time Southern Oregon Conference Coach of the Year, Murphy guided South Medford High School to the 2007 state championship. Before his tenure there, he coached St. Mary’s to three conference titles and the 1982 state championship. Over the course of his career, Murphy’s teams have claimed 19 conference titles, one state championship, and two state runner-up finishes. He also held brief coaching roles at Kids Unlimited and Southern Oregon University following his retirement from high school basketball.

Murphy will be joined at Phoenix by longtime assistants Kirk Daley and Mike Vanderhoff.

The hiring came about after a recent conversation between Murphy and Phoenix-Talent School District Superintendent Brent Barry at a memorial service. Barry, a former player under Murphy at South Medford, said the position had recently reopened.

“(Barry) kind of explained that briefly and then he just said, ‘Can you help?’” Murphy recalled. “I laughed and called him back and said, ‘You’re kidding, aren’t you?’”

After discussing the position and confirming that Daley and Vanderhoff could join him, Murphy agreed to take the role.

Following Murphy’s introduction, Barry thanked the team for its patience during the search process.

“I know it’s been a search that hasn’t been super smooth at times, but we got our guy,” Barry said. “I loved playing for this guy. I’m getting chills (thinking of) him being courtside this year.”