Rob Murphy is a distinguished basketball coach and executive based in Detroit, Michigan. His career is marked by significant contributions to basketball at multiple levels, including high school, college, and professional teams. As the President and General Manager of the Motor City Cruise, the G League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, Murphy demonstrated exceptional leadership by raising $2.5 million in the franchise’s initial months and leading the team to a playoff berth in its first year. His tenure as head coach at Eastern Michigan University is notable for his departure as the second all-time winningest coach in the program’s history, achieving a 94% graduation rate among his players.
Murphy’s earlier career includes impactful years as an assistant coach at Syracuse University under Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, where his recruiting skills contributed to some of the most successful seasons in the program’s history. His roots in Detroit, where he grew up and later returned to impact the community through education and sports, have profoundly influenced his career and philanthropic pursuits. Through the Rob Murphy Foundation, established in 2014, Murphy has made a lasting impact on underprivileged areas in Detroit, affirming his commitment to giving back to the community that raised him.
His autobiography, “Deep: The Life of Rob Murphy,” provides further insight into his journey from a challenging upbringing in Detroit to becoming a key figure in basketball coaching and management, inspiring many with his dedication to youth development and education.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts early with a workout to get energized. I spend my mornings reading to enhance my knowledge of several topics, along reviewing several sports publications. Afternoons are often filled with meetings and planning sessions. To stay productive, I prioritize tasks and focus on clear goals for the day. Keeping a disciplined schedule helps me manage both my professional and personal responsibilities effectively.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life by collaborating with my team. We brainstorm and discuss new strategies to enhance our performance and outreach. Once we settle on an idea, I create a step-by-guide to implement it. Regular follow-ups and adjustments based on feedback are crucial. This approach keeps our projects dynamic and successful.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The trend of analytics in sports really excites me. Using data to improve player performance and make strategic decisions is changing the game. It allows everyone to be more precise with decision making.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Setting daily goals is a habit that keeps me productive. Each morning, I list what I need to achieve by the end of the day. This keeps me focused and helps manage my time better. Success is built in your routine.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to worry less and trust the process more. It’s important to stay patient and keep working hard, even when results aren’t immediate. Building strong relationships and learning from an array of people you meet is important. I would also attempt to live in the moment as opposed to looking ahead to what is next.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that traditional coaching methods still have a place in modern sports. Despite the rise of technology and analytics, the fundamental aspects of mentoring and face-to-face interactions are irreplaceable. This blend of old and new schools can bring out the best in players and teams.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Reflecting on each day’s successes and lessons is something I do regularly and recommend to others. This practice helps me understand what works and what doesn’t work. It’s crucial for personal and professional growth, and it keeps you grounded and focused on your goals.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed, I enjoy quiet time in the sauna. Swimming is also a good exercise that helps regain my focus. I’ve been using the sauna and swim routine for over 20 years.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building strong relationships has been key to my career growth. By maintaining a network of mentors, peers, and former players, I’ve opened doors to opportunities and gathered invaluable insights. Trust and mutual respect have allowed me to advance and also bring others along with me.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my coaching career, I faced a challenging season where we didn’t meet our goals. I learned to evaluate my strategies critically and adapt to the growth of the game. This experience taught me resilience and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in leadership.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
The best business in all of sports is creating a Sports Academy. A training facility that offers instruction, coaching, and equipment access across various sports like soccer, tennis, basketball is beneficial for all ages. By consolidating multiple courts and fields in one site along with qualified coaches, it creates a centralized hub to foster athletic skills for all ages and competition levels year-round.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
One piece of software that really helps me stay productive is a sports analytics platform called Hudl. This tool is essential for both planning training sessions and reviewing game footage. I use Hudl to analyze player performances, strategize for upcoming games, and provide personalized feedback to my players. It allows me to break down video to highlight specific areas for improvement and reinforce positive actions on the court. By leveraging the detailed statistics and video analysis that Hudl offers, I can make data-driven decisions that enhance our team’s performance and individual player development.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
“Mindset” by Carol S. Dweck is a book that has had a profound impact on me. It discusses the growth mindset versus the fixed mindset, which has reshaped how I approach challenges and growth both personally and professionally.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I really enjoyed the series “The Last Dance.” It’s a sports documentary that chronicles Michael Jordan’s career with the Chicago Bulls. Its insights into teamwork, leadership, and overcoming adversity are incredibly inspiring and resonate with my own experiences in sports.