Stetson Names Sue Murphy New Women's Lacrosse Coach

Stetson has selected veteran head coach Sue Murphy to lead the Hatters women's lacrosse program.

Murphy successfully led Boston University for six seasons and the University of Richmond for eight seasons at the Division I level, while also coaching at Division III schools Muhlenberg University and Pfeiffer University.

She currently holds a career record of 151-142 (.515) as a head coach and has won eight or more games in a season nine times in her career. She led both Boston U. and Richmond to top-10 national rankings and has been named coach of the year four times, twice in the America East and twice in the Atlantic 10.

"I am thrilled Coach Murphy has agreed to lead our women's lacrosse program," said Ricky Ray, Director of Athletics. "She has led nationally-ranked programs and established long-lasting relationships with student-athletes. She is poised to take our lacrosse program to the next level."

Murphy stated, "I want to thank Ricky Ray, the search committee and university leadership for providing me this incredible opportunity to lead Stetson lacrosse.  Stetson University is a complete gem — high academics, excellent facilities, great support staff, student-athletes committed to continuous improvement and palm trees! I can't wait to get to work."

Murphy guided Boston U to 55 wins in six seasons and was named America East coach of the year in 1999 and 2000.  Her 1999 team won 15 games, and her 2000 squad was ranked as high as 11th, receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. In 2001, the Terriers were ranked as high as 6th in the nation. Over her time in Boston, 21 players earned all-conference honors.

She then took over the program at Richmond, amassing 76 wins in eight seasons and earning coach of the year honors in 2005 and 2006. The Spiders won the Atlantic 10 regular season championship in 2006, 2007, and 2008 and triumphed in the A10 tournament in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

The Spiders were ranked as high as 9th in the nation and Murphy mentored 30 all-conference players, including seven A10 player of the year honorees.

Most recently, Murphy led Pfeiffer University for one season in her return to collegiate coaching. The Falcons won seven contests in 2024. Murphy began her coaching career leading Muhlenberg in both lacrosse and field hockey.  Since 2012, Murphy has been successfully running Beach Blast Lax Tourney in Lewes, Delaware.

Internationally, Murphy was the head coach of the United States Developmental Team from 2001-2006. In 2011, Murphy launched a successful lacrosse business in central Virginia with standout STORM Lacrosse travel teams where she used her strong network to place over 230 student-athletes to collegiate programs. In 2018, she merged her STORM Lacrosse travel teams into the Richmond Strikers organization and was the Director of Coaching through 2020.

Murphy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sport management from the University of Massachusetts in 1990. She was a two-time All-American at UMass and finished her stellar career as the all-time leading scorer with 125 goals. She was a member of the U.S. Lacrosse National Squad from 1990-92.

She has two daughters, Abby and Sara. Abby played field hockey at Appalachian State and Queens, and Sara played lacrosse at Winthrop.

What they are saying:

"Stetson hit a home run with their hiring of Sue Murphy.  I have known Sue for 35 years and she is not only an amazing coach but an equally incredible person.  Sue has had success at every level of the game and I expect she will see continued success at Stetson." — Mandy O'Leary, Head Coach, Florida

"Stetson has made an inspired choice in hiring Sue Murphy to lead their women's lacrosse program. Sue is one of the most passionate and enthusiastic coaches I know.  She brings an upbeat, positive energy to every challenge, as well as decades of success in the sport. I am confident the women's lacrosse players at Stetson will enjoy being coached by Sue and grow significantly under her leadership.  The program is in great hands with this experienced and dedicated coach." — Chris Sailor, Former Head Coach, Princeton