Murphysboro makes winter sports a family affair

By Thomas Donley

Winter sports are a family affair at Murphysboro High School.

Boy’s basketball coach Daryl Murphy and girl’s basketball coach Jon Marston have sons on the Red Devils’ varsity basketball team. MHS wrestling has a strong family connection as well. Longtime coach Danny Baker is assisted by his brother Ted Baker and nephew Shea Baker.

Murphy is in his 18th season coaching basketball at Murphysboro. His son, Daryl Murphy II, or “Little D,” as he is affectionately known by his teammates, is a senior guard.

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The younger Murphy was born around the time his father became coach of the Red Devils in 1996. The sport quickly became a source of bonding for the two. Daryl II attended almost all Murphysboro games and practices. He was even in team pictures as a toddler.

“He was with me 24/7,” the elder Murphy said.

One of the best representations of the Murphys’ relationship are behind the elder’s desk at MHS. Among the team pictures on Daryl’s bulletin board is a picture of Daryl II asleep under the bench during a Red Devils junior varsity game as a 3- or 4-year-old.

Daryl said he tries to be fair, but thinks he is harder on his son than others. However, sophomore center Tim Marston said he does not see a difference in the treatment Daryl II receives compared to his teammates.

Jon Marston, Tim’s father, is in his third year coaching the Red Devils girl’s basketball team. Jon said being a coach allows him to help Tim with his game by pointing out skills he could improve on.

“I can be a little bit more critical than usual,” Jon said. “I think at times he likes that, and at times he doesn’t, but I think he understands why.”

Tim has worked his way into contention for a starting spot on the varsity team as an underclassman. He said he learned his work ethic from his father.

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“He’s taught me that if you have talent, but you don’t work hard, it doesn’t matter,” Tim said.

The Marstons’ family life centers around basketball, especially during winter.

For years, when Jon has not been coaching, he and his wife Jan have spent their time watching Tim and their older son, Jay, a 2013 MHS graduate, play basketball.

“It’s kind of a family thing for us now,” Jon said. “During the winter, for five months, that’s what we do. We really look forward to that.”

The Marstons and the Murphys are not the only families centering their lives around a sport.

Although Danny is the wrestling coach, he said his brother Ted and nephew Shea influence the program as much as he does.

“We’re all head coaches, I just happen to be the one who takes the heat when something bad happens,” Danny said. “I let everyone contribute. I don’t know everything. It’s good to have a working relationship, because the exchange of ideas makes you all better coaches.”

Danny has coached since 1987 and said he enjoys the family atmosphere.

“It’s wonderful,” Danny said. “It really is. You’re family. Those things bring you together, win or lose.”

Shea grew up with the Murphysboro youth wrestling program Ted started in 1996.

Shea went 39-0 and won the 2009 Illinois High School Association State Championship in the 170-pound weight class his senior year.

He said the tough-love coaching style from his dad and uncle gave him advantages in learning the sport others do not have.

“I wouldn’t say they were tougher on me,” Shea said. “But they weren’t afraid to say things to me they probably wouldn’t have said to others.”

Danny said he sees qualities in Shea that could make him a good head coach in the future.

“He’s very good with young men,” Danny said. “He’s a good role model. He loves the game, and he has an easygoing approach.”

Thomas Donley can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @tdonleyde

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